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A Court of Darkness and Ruin: A Dark Fantasy Romance
In my final moments, I was begging for death.
Now he has me pleading on my knees for him.
In my darkest hour, Oarus finds and takes me.
At first, I think he’s going to kill me. Instead…
He breathes life back into me.
On the outside, he’s a monster. A terrifying, beastly creature.
His presence should shake me to my core.
Yet, I’m craving his touch.
My safety becomes his obsession.
My body is the object of his desire.
And he will kill anyone who hurts me.
I can’t flee from him.
My heart won’t let me.
I belong by his side. He plans to keep me there.
Even before I want it.
Read on A rescue romance that leads to an unlikely pairing… and even more fantastical steamy scenes. This book is perfect for those that want to get dark and dirty and love a happily ever after!
Now he has me pleading on my knees for him.
In my darkest hour, Oarus finds and takes me.
At first, I think he’s going to kill me. Instead…
He breathes life back into me.
On the outside, he’s a monster. A terrifying, beastly creature.
His presence should shake me to my core.
Yet, I’m craving his touch.
My safety becomes his obsession.
My body is the object of his desire.
And he will kill anyone who hurts me.
I can’t flee from him.
My heart won’t let me.
I belong by his side. He plans to keep me there.
Even before I want it.
Read on A rescue romance that leads to an unlikely pairing… and even more fantastical steamy scenes. This book is perfect for those that want to get dark and dirty and love a happily ever after!
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2024
107 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Anne Hale
58 books21 followersAnne Hale writes paranormal romance about dragons. All of her stories include smoldering, hot, dragons that claim their fated mates and protect them from a world that doesn’t understand shifters. Anne’s alpha male heroes protect their mates and provide for them during the day, and at night wrap their arms around them and make them forget the world. She lives in a world of magic and also writes urban fantasy. Anything to escape from her day to day life! (Source: Amazon.com)
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 18, 2025
This wasn’t a court of anything. Two introverts met and fell in love. That’s it. That’s the plot.
July 12, 2024
Not really as described, especially the title
It's basically the typical humans are weak and enslaved but there's no court there's no kings or royalty of any kind. The main character is enslaved her entire life by some rapey master and his rapey abusive guards or employees and she gets sold to the minds when he gets sick of her. There she meets more rapey guards and suddenly becomes defiant after 20-some odd years of this same exact behavior she decides today is going to be different and fights back and runs away, almost dies but is saved by some fish monster who wants her as a pretty pet. They live in a cave right next door to the enslavers, he starts to grow human feelings and she becomes less and less scared and suicidal. Rapey guards catcher again because they are literally within walking distance, neighbors, but the monster follows her and saves her. They marry. The end. I don't know. The title makes it sound like it's some elf court or monster Kingdom but it's not and the The description has more sexual tones to it like as if the monster is a dominant or daddy type and it's not like that at all He's more of a scientist if anything and he's just more curious about her being human and she's terrified of sex because she's obviously been raped for years so.... The story's not horrible it's just not what I thought I was going to be I guess and a bit boring. Not much fantasy or ruin going on.
It's basically the typical humans are weak and enslaved but there's no court there's no kings or royalty of any kind. The main character is enslaved her entire life by some rapey master and his rapey abusive guards or employees and she gets sold to the minds when he gets sick of her. There she meets more rapey guards and suddenly becomes defiant after 20-some odd years of this same exact behavior she decides today is going to be different and fights back and runs away, almost dies but is saved by some fish monster who wants her as a pretty pet. They live in a cave right next door to the enslavers, he starts to grow human feelings and she becomes less and less scared and suicidal. Rapey guards catcher again because they are literally within walking distance, neighbors, but the monster follows her and saves her. They marry. The end. I don't know. The title makes it sound like it's some elf court or monster Kingdom but it's not and the The description has more sexual tones to it like as if the monster is a dominant or daddy type and it's not like that at all He's more of a scientist if anything and he's just more curious about her being human and she's terrified of sex because she's obviously been raped for years so.... The story's not horrible it's just not what I thought I was going to be I guess and a bit boring. Not much fantasy or ruin going on.
May 23, 2024
Yvonne (h) is captured by dark elves and forced to work in a brutal mining camp, and desperate to escape her captors, she takes a leap into the sea, choosing death over enslavement. She is saved by Oarus (H), a mysterious sea creature with his own dark past who takes her to his lair. Despite her initial fear and resistance, Yvonne begins to adapt to her new life with Oarus, who shows her unexpected kindness and care. As they spend more time together, Yvonne and Oarus develop a complex relationship. Oarus, torn between his need for control and his longing for companionship, becomes both protector and captor. Yvonne, on the other hand, struggles with her growing dependence on Oarus and loss of freedom to make her own choices. Their bond deepens as Oarus teaches Yvonne to swim and shares his world's hidden beauty with her. Together, Yvonne and Oarus face relentless dangers, which brings them closer together and things heat up between the two. Ultra-hot and steamy human-monster rescue romance with plenty of danger, action and drama.
May 28, 2024
Just ugh
It's like both the MCs have the memory of goldfish. He saves her to treat her like a possession, then starves her knowing she's thin and hungry already just because she ran away, then the next morning he's a gentleman beau and treating her like she's a precious glass egg. Huh? She has been a slave since her childhood, beaten and abused, he heaps more on her, she accepts all this, except for when she's running away, but then she's all, "well he treats me better than my master and the elves" and, even though all she's known is trauma, she's getting hot for him? Wth? There's fantasy and then there's this-doesn't-even-make-sense whatever BS this is. Oh, and no mention of magic by the elves or anyone else but he knows about and gives her magic sea grass that helps her breathe in underwater a la Harry Potter style? If there's magic why aren't the elves using that to enslave humans? Lot less work than having overseers.
It's like both the MCs have the memory of goldfish. He saves her to treat her like a possession, then starves her knowing she's thin and hungry already just because she ran away, then the next morning he's a gentleman beau and treating her like she's a precious glass egg. Huh? She has been a slave since her childhood, beaten and abused, he heaps more on her, she accepts all this, except for when she's running away, but then she's all, "well he treats me better than my master and the elves" and, even though all she's known is trauma, she's getting hot for him? Wth? There's fantasy and then there's this-doesn't-even-make-sense whatever BS this is. Oh, and no mention of magic by the elves or anyone else but he knows about and gives her magic sea grass that helps her breathe in underwater a la Harry Potter style? If there's magic why aren't the elves using that to enslave humans? Lot less work than having overseers.
May 25, 2024
'I am beyond baffled by this enigmatic being, both my enslaver and the decider of my fate.'
I loved this book. So excited for another of Hale and Celeste's monster romance! Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Yvonne and Oarus. I was hooked to the page as Yvonne- always a slave- was sold to work in the mines. Running from dark elves who would rape her, she chose to die instead and jumped into the sea. I was fascinated by Oarus- a powerful predator- who saw her jump and not only saves her, but claims her for his own. He is fascinated by her. She is both afraid of him and also confused when he seems to care for her needs. I love the way their relationship developed. A fun adventure. I can't wait for more! 5 stars.
I loved this book. So excited for another of Hale and Celeste's monster romance! Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Yvonne and Oarus. I was hooked to the page as Yvonne- always a slave- was sold to work in the mines. Running from dark elves who would rape her, she chose to die instead and jumped into the sea. I was fascinated by Oarus- a powerful predator- who saw her jump and not only saves her, but claims her for his own. He is fascinated by her. She is both afraid of him and also confused when he seems to care for her needs. I love the way their relationship developed. A fun adventure. I can't wait for more! 5 stars.
May 24, 2024
A Court of Ruin and Darkness by Anne Hale and Celeste King is a dark fantasy romance. Those who enjoy the monster/human trope definitely will enjoy this book. I really enjoyed the world building and imaging existing in the same realm as the main characters despite all of the dangers. Yvonne the FMC is taken by elves and must work a mining camp. She decided to escape into the sea and is rescued by Oarus. OF course now she is trapped with him but is that so bad?
This book was full of spice, adventure, action, humor and more. I definitely enjoyed reading it.
This book was full of spice, adventure, action, humor and more. I definitely enjoyed reading it.
May 23, 2024
Daddy Oarus!!
I loved this story. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. This was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
This story promises dark and dirty, with a hint of sweetness.
The authors definitely delivered.
Yvonne and Oarus were the perfect pairing of damsel in distress and monster protector.
If you're looking for a dreamy, possessive monster protector, this is the story for you.
I loved this story. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. This was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
This story promises dark and dirty, with a hint of sweetness.
The authors definitely delivered.
Yvonne and Oarus were the perfect pairing of damsel in distress and monster protector.
If you're looking for a dreamy, possessive monster protector, this is the story for you.
May 22, 2024
I really loved this book. A decadent combination of darkness and intensity drew me in and had me captivated by this raw and gripping story. The chemistry between the characters was off the charts and little layer of surprise sweetness made the feeling mor powerful and the swoon delicious.
September 25, 2025
Change the description for the book. The contents of the book and the description is not the same. There is no courts, no “Fantasy”, no world building nothing. If I had to label this terrible book, I would call it a YA romance/mermaid porn. It’s not dark fantasy. Sooooo misleading
June 11, 2024
unnecessary
I couldn’t make it past 20% of the book because the writing was so overdone. It’s unnecessary to be so overtly “flowery”.
I couldn’t make it past 20% of the book because the writing was so overdone. It’s unnecessary to be so overtly “flowery”.
June 22, 2024
Meh 🫤
May 3, 2025
it was a great time as my 1st book in my May tbr ⭐
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews