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Realm of Darkness
Shadows come alive in the Kingdom of Odemark. The darkness is a dangerous place and if you are smart you will run and hide before the Nightlocke finds you. Born of shadows and King of all things wicked and evil the Nightlocke is a monstrous beast searching those to torture and kill. Wearing nothing but black and hiding his face beneath a hood, he takes pleasure in your pain and has no morals that guide him. The Kingdom of Odemark is destitute as it is and the people struggle to survive the wasteland in which they live. The King used to have a Lightspark, a special person who could heal the land and its people, but after an attack on the castle by the Nightlocke years ago, she was killed and now the Kingdom struggles to survive. Kymra Fields remembers when the Nightlocke attacked the castle as she hid in the pantry listening to the screams of those dying outside in the halls. Now that she’s all grown up, she’s determined to help her family stay alive by joining the King’s ration program. She agrees to work as a servant in exchange for food every month to feed her family. She reconnects with an old friend while she’s there, Prince Thomas, who is quite taken with her. Completely smitten with Thomas, she begins to forget about the Kingdom’s problems and starts enjoying her new life at the castle. Until one night when she stumbles into the monster everyone fears... the Nightlocke. Arthur Drakos, the man beneath the hood, never misses anyone or anything when he’s hunting a mark yet when he enters the King’s Garden one night, he completely misses a gorgeous girl crying at the fountain. Something snaps between them and he realizes he is drawn to her for some reason. He whisks her away keeping her prisoner until he can figure out what is pulling him to this girl. The longer they are together, the more he realizes the control he has over the wicked darkness inside. He’s beginning to feel like the person he was before he became the Nightlocke and it’s all because of Kymra. He’s falling for her and will do whatever he can to show her he isn’t just a scary villain, but when new dangers threaten the girl he loves, Arthur must do everything in his power to protect her even if it means protecting her from herself.
206 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2024
4 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
M.L. White
7 books21 followersM. L. White is a Fantasy and Shifter writer primarily as she is obsessed with wolves and all things fantasy or dragon related. She loves to read, and actively seeks out books that suck her in and make her feel like that world is better than reality, so she is determined to spread that same joy to others with her writing. Her books are like a movie in your head with characters you can't help but fall in love with.
When M. L. White is not writing, she's chasing after her three children and taking care of her wonderful husband. They're her whole world so she's pretty busy spending as much time with them as possible. You can find her walking the trails with her two dogs or gaming with her husband and son in her free time as well!
When M. L. White is not writing, she's chasing after her three children and taking care of her wonderful husband. They're her whole world so she's pretty busy spending as much time with them as possible. You can find her walking the trails with her two dogs or gaming with her husband and son in her free time as well!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 23, 2023
It was really good, a dark fantasy enemies to lovers type of story. While it’s a short read, each chapter makes you need to come back for more and you will quickly grow to love the main characters. It postures beautifully for a sequel too, really hoping there’s more in store for Arthur and Kymra!
December 15, 2025
Realm of Darkness by M.L. White is an enemies to lovers romantasy and will check all the boxes for your next read.
In the Kingdom of Odemark, food is sparse, and the shadows should be avoided at all costs. The King has lost his beloved Lightspark, the only one capable of healing the land, and now all hope is lost. Kymra is forced to work in the King’s household in exchange for food for her family. The Nightlocke is a horrid being who kills those in the shadows and is supposed to be the most fearsome beast in the kingdom. However, Kymra will soon discover that all is not as it seems.
M.L. White has done a lovely job of creating a story that is both unique and hits all the marks readers are looking for in a romantasy. Enemies to lovers, check. Shadow Daddy, check. Dragons, I’m hopeful, will arrive full force in book two! This was such a fun, fast paced read with plenty of action.
In the Kingdom of Odemark, food is sparse, and the shadows should be avoided at all costs. The King has lost his beloved Lightspark, the only one capable of healing the land, and now all hope is lost. Kymra is forced to work in the King’s household in exchange for food for her family. The Nightlocke is a horrid being who kills those in the shadows and is supposed to be the most fearsome beast in the kingdom. However, Kymra will soon discover that all is not as it seems.
M.L. White has done a lovely job of creating a story that is both unique and hits all the marks readers are looking for in a romantasy. Enemies to lovers, check. Shadow Daddy, check. Dragons, I’m hopeful, will arrive full force in book two! This was such a fun, fast paced read with plenty of action.
October 25, 2023
I loved REALM OF DARKNESS, a young adult dark fantasy with beauty and the beast vibes. The kingdom of Odemark is cursed by the Nightlocke, a terrible shadow magic that is more beast than man. Lightspark can cure the disease cursing the kingdom, but the people who can use Lightspark are disappearing and no one knows why. Arthur is a young starving boy with a dying mother when the previous Nightlocke passes the curse on to him. Kymra is seventeen and the daughter of the king’s physician. She’s always had a crush on one of the king’s sons, Thomas, but their difference in station has kept them apart, and she is unsure if their childhood friendship will turn into anything meaningful now that they are growing up and Thomas is expected to find a princess to marry. When Arthur and Kymra encounter each other and she’s taken away, they slowly get to know each other. I loved their scenes together as well as what happens as they take on corruption within the royal house. This is a great YA fantasy romance that Beauty and the Beast retelling fans will enjoy! 5/5 stars.
April 18, 2026
This book was a quick and easy read with a fun and creative premise! I love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and the one was definitely unique.
Set in a dark fantasy world, where the main character is swept away to the evil villain’s castle only to find out he’s… not so evil, I’m sure you can imagine how things could play out but like I’ve said in other reviews— why fix what ain’t broke? Although, I do think this book could have used quite a bit more editing, I still enjoyed it. I’ll do my best not to spoil, but the arrow scene toward the end? Badass.
Although the characters are adults, this book would definitely still be appropriate for older teens and young adults as well. I for sure would’ve eaten this up as a late teen lol.
Overall this was a fun and quick read, and I look forward to getting to book 2!
Set in a dark fantasy world, where the main character is swept away to the evil villain’s castle only to find out he’s… not so evil, I’m sure you can imagine how things could play out but like I’ve said in other reviews— why fix what ain’t broke? Although, I do think this book could have used quite a bit more editing, I still enjoyed it. I’ll do my best not to spoil, but the arrow scene toward the end? Badass.
Although the characters are adults, this book would definitely still be appropriate for older teens and young adults as well. I for sure would’ve eaten this up as a late teen lol.
Overall this was a fun and quick read, and I look forward to getting to book 2!
March 20, 2024
This short read is so good!! (Has spoilers)
Fantasy, monster, olden days, supernatural, and YA.
In this book you meet Author (spoiler- dark evil takes over him, the Nightlocke), Kymra (spoiler- she’s gets a job at the castle, she is also good friends with the prince, as her father use to work at the castle till one night, read to know more, she is also the lightspark) and Thomas the prince.
I love the characters and the story line. It’s a little tear jerker in the beginning. But this book had me on my toes. So much action. Love the connection with Kymra and Author. He is dark and she is light. Such a good happy ending.
Fantasy, monster, olden days, supernatural, and YA.
In this book you meet Author (spoiler- dark evil takes over him, the Nightlocke), Kymra (spoiler- she’s gets a job at the castle, she is also good friends with the prince, as her father use to work at the castle till one night, read to know more, she is also the lightspark) and Thomas the prince.
I love the characters and the story line. It’s a little tear jerker in the beginning. But this book had me on my toes. So much action. Love the connection with Kymra and Author. He is dark and she is light. Such a good happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2023
Super good! Definitely darker for this author but loved the whole story. Like I was watching a movie... sequel please!!!!!!
April 4, 2025
A really great mix of fantasy and romance with just a hint of horror. Think Beauty and the Beast meets The Shining, but on a less gory day. It’s a great summer’s day read as it’s not too long which also means it's perfectly paced to give you the background, drag you into the story, create characters you’ll love and hate and then it all kicks off.
I hope this series continues as I think it has a lot of scope.
I hope this series continues as I think it has a lot of scope.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews