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Unlock the Dark
Unlock the Dark has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2025
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9077 people want to read
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September 11, 2025
A girl blessed with the magic to open any lock agrees to help a prince steal a magic scroll that will end the war - in exchange for a marriage of convenience that will save her family. Their quest turns deadly when the scroll unlocks a curse - forcing her to brave the dark to rescue the prince!
Unlock the Dark is a high stakes family forward story with an incredibly lush fantastical world that will have you craving more.
I’ve had such a hard time writing this review because there is so very much to love about this book! I can’t stop thinking about it and I absolutely plan to re-read this, I am in love.
Because I’m at a loss for articulate words to describe how fantastic this book is I’ll default to list style for now.
What I love…
- There has never been a book that I wanted so desperately to be able to be magically transported into.
- The world building feels rich and it’s done in a way that’s not forced or info dumpy. We get little tidbits as they become relevant in a natural way.
- The world and magic is unique and so f-ing cool
- I felt emotionally attached to these characters within the first 20%
- the connection between the FMC and MMC is not lusty - their relationship and attraction is built on shared trauma, and mutual respect.
- did I mention the magic was so freaking cool???!!?!?
- The FMC is strong, smart, and makes difficult decisions
- This feels like a book that can be loved by the masses - the themes are appropriate for middle YA, but feel mature enough to grab and keep the attention of adults.
- The CREATURES, are you kidding me with this? Unique and interesting and I want more.
- the family dynamics are so well done and I love the emphasis on family.
What I did not love…
- This could have easily been a duology and I think it would have done better as one (see below)
- I wanted more of their relationship development, had we spent a little more time prepping for their adventure/quest we could have seen their feelings develop more and turn into a deeper stronger relationship. I saw another reviewer mention that the romance was the least strongest aspect and I agree, but it didn’t have to be! It was set up to be an amazing romance but got rushed bc of the standalone book imo
- I did not like the split plot line, it felt like two different conflicts were fighting to happen and I would have strongly preferred the book stick with the main FMC and MMC conflict and plot.
I will be reading anything Sara Hawk writes from this point on.
More things of note…
I need a prequel of the FMCs time in the floating world.
I need a sequel.
I need more, please, now.
P.S. While this was not a perfect book, I am still giving it 5⭐️ because all the things RIGHT with this book greatly outweigh the mild plotting/pacing issue.
The world the author creates is absolutely intoxicating. I will cry my heart out if this is the only book set in this world that Sasa Hawk writes. I am literally begging for more of this world.
5⭐️ | TikTok | IG |
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Unlock the Dark is a high stakes family forward story with an incredibly lush fantastical world that will have you craving more.
I’ve had such a hard time writing this review because there is so very much to love about this book! I can’t stop thinking about it and I absolutely plan to re-read this, I am in love.
Because I’m at a loss for articulate words to describe how fantastic this book is I’ll default to list style for now.
What I love…
- There has never been a book that I wanted so desperately to be able to be magically transported into.
- The world building feels rich and it’s done in a way that’s not forced or info dumpy. We get little tidbits as they become relevant in a natural way.
- The world and magic is unique and so f-ing cool
- I felt emotionally attached to these characters within the first 20%
- the connection between the FMC and MMC is not lusty - their relationship and attraction is built on shared trauma, and mutual respect.
- did I mention the magic was so freaking cool???!!?!?
- The FMC is strong, smart, and makes difficult decisions
- This feels like a book that can be loved by the masses - the themes are appropriate for middle YA, but feel mature enough to grab and keep the attention of adults.
- The CREATURES, are you kidding me with this? Unique and interesting and I want more.
- the family dynamics are so well done and I love the emphasis on family.
What I did not love…
- This could have easily been a duology and I think it would have done better as one (see below)
- I wanted more of their relationship development, had we spent a little more time prepping for their adventure/quest we could have seen their feelings develop more and turn into a deeper stronger relationship. I saw another reviewer mention that the romance was the least strongest aspect and I agree, but it didn’t have to be! It was set up to be an amazing romance but got rushed bc of the standalone book imo
- I did not like the split plot line, it felt like two different conflicts were fighting to happen and I would have strongly preferred the book stick with the main FMC and MMC conflict and plot.
I will be reading anything Sara Hawk writes from this point on.
More things of note…
I need a prequel of the FMCs time in the floating world.
I need a sequel.
I need more, please, now.
P.S. While this was not a perfect book, I am still giving it 5⭐️ because all the things RIGHT with this book greatly outweigh the mild plotting/pacing issue.
The world the author creates is absolutely intoxicating. I will cry my heart out if this is the only book set in this world that Sasa Hawk writes. I am literally begging for more of this world.
5⭐️ | TikTok | IG |
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
interested-in
March 24, 2025the cover brought me here 🧍♀️
June 6, 2025
I forgot everything about the synopsis so the [thing] that happens like 40% into the book was actually quite surprising and fun.
Do not read synopsis past the first three lines, my dudes. That's the key to being happy.
Do not read synopsis past the first three lines, my dudes. That's the key to being happy.
September 1, 2025
꒰ 💚⋆✨⋆📚⋆🏰⋆👑⋆🗝️⋆🔮⋆❤️ ꒱
🎧/📖┆Unlock the Dark
╰┈➤ ✰┆˗ˏˋ 𝟚.𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˊˎ˗
╰⪼ ⋆౨ৎ˚┆ 𝓟𝓻𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭: Spin the wheel pick! My tbr is getting outta control atm. I need this to be good, but I'm not setting the bar too high to get myself disappointed.
📆┆˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Dates read: 8/25/25 - 8/31/25
𓂃🖊┆𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼:
➛ marriage of convenience ⋆ one bed ⋆ magical libraries ⋆ portal doors ⋆ floating kingdoms ⋆ monsters ⋆ vengeful gods ⋆ accidental curses ⋆ bargains & blood oaths
🏷️┆𝓐𝓽 𝓪 𝓰𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮:
💚 standalone debut YA romantasy
✨ quest in a forbidden land to steal a magical scroll
🏰 fantasy kingdoms with a unique magic system
🗝️ stubborn FMC who can magically unlock any object
👑 prince romantic love interest
❤️ slow burn romance with no spice
🔮 curses, monsters, and angry gods
👨👩👧👦 strong familial relationships
📚 uneven pacing with a rushed ending
➛ third person, single POV
📋┆𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼:
Elia Tallis’s key conjuring abilities, when used with her father’s magic, allow her to open a path to any location. But Papa is dying, and Elia has been forced to painfully tether him to life so she can siphon his magic to provide for her siblings. The god of death, angry to be denied his due, punishes her by claiming her youngest brother as a servant.
Desperate to save her brother, Elia accepts a potentially deadly commission from Trys, a kindhearted prince. Elia makes a deal to find the Scroll of Peace in a forbidden land where getting caught means uncertain death. Despite the danger of their quest, Elia and Trys find themselves increasingly drawn to each other. But the scroll's power has unforeseen, monstrous consequences that will change the course of their lives. Elia will have to wield her power in ways she never thought possible, braving a world of endless darkness and the nightmares that dwell within it to break a curse that threatens the one she loves.
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
💭┆𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
╰┈➤ 📌┆Initial Thoughts:
➛ Wow... so this was a flop. Overwhelmingly dull and lackluster. The world and premise were great, but the execution was poor.
╰┈➤ 📝┆Plot and Pacing: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ The primary issue I had with the plot was that we already knew what was going to happen thanks to the synopsis. It gave away the majority of the story up until 60%. A synopsis should not describe the whole story. As a result, I felt bored and disinterested in the beginning half, which felt like it dragged! It took me several days to reach the 45% mark. The pacing significantly picked up thereafter, but the resolution felt overly rushed. Hello pacing issues! This would've been better served as a duology. More time could've been spent in the forbidden kingdom. Adding some flashbacks would have offered depth to our FMC's character arc as well. Overall, it was just poorly executed.
╰┈➤ 👫┆Characters: 3 stars ✰✰✰
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 🗝️┆Elia Tallis
➛ Elia is fiercely loyal and protective of her family, which is her most redeeming quality. She will go to the ends of the earth for her siblings, literally. Although at times she was reckless and slightly egotistical when it came to her powers, she had some growth near the end of the book. Despite this, her character came across as distant and unengaging.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 👑┆Prince Trystoferian "Trys"
➛ I wanted so much more from him! Adorably awkward and determined to honor his brother by ending the war that's plaguing his country. His time on the page felt limited due to spoilery reasons, which is again why it should have been separated into two books. We did not have enough scenes or interactions with his character.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Romance/Spice
➛ Because there was not enough interaction between Elia and Trys, I did not believe they fell in love. Do they even know each other at this point? Their relationship felt underdeveloped. At least they had some decent chemistry. Additionally, some of the romantic scenes took place at inappropriate times. Trying to steal a forbidden object in a high-security place? Perfect timing for a make-out session. Ugh, read the room!
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Minor Characters
➛ My favorite aspect of the book was the relationship between the four siblings. The strong, familiar relationships tugged at my heartstrings a little, especially with the youngest. This is what gave life to the book, and I wish it had been highlighted more.
╰┈➤ ✎┆Setting and Writing: 3 stars ✰✰✰
➛ This world had sooo much potential! The magic system is unique, allowing people to create keys that unlock any object, travel through doors to any location, and wield various abilities, including those of magical weavers, healers, math wizards, bakers, and history buffs. Unfortunately, it was underdeveloped (my favorite word for this review). There was little to no explanation on how these abilities work. I really liked the floating kingdom and wished we had spent more time there. At times, the world felt whimsical, but this was fleeting. It had some bright moments, but it just never stayed. I also desperately wanted a world map. I found the writing to be pretty good for a debut novel, though.
╰┈➤ ☁️┆Themes: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ Unlock the Dark revolves around sacrifice, family devotion, the price of magic, and the nature of love. It explores the immense lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones, even when it means facing literal darkness and the god of death.
╰┈➤ 💕┆Emotional Impact: 1 star ✰
➛ The characters felt distant. I had little to no feeling or connection with the story.
╰┈➤ ✨┆Enjoyment: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ Did I have fun? Meh. Was I engaged in the story? Not really. Did I have an emotional connection? Definitely not. Am I left thinking about it afterward? Yes, but not in a good way.
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
╰┈➤ 🚨┆𝓑𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓸𝓶-𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮:
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ The premise and world-building had so much potential, but were poorly executed. The pacing was all over the place, and the ending rushed. It would've been a decent duology if we had been given more time for world-building and romance development. Overall, a disappointing read.
➛ ✔ 𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭? Meh, probably not
➛ 📚┆𝓢𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼: (that are better!)
- A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
- These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
- The Prison Healer by Lynette Non
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
🎧/📖┆Unlock the Dark
╰┈➤ ✰┆˗ˏˋ 𝟚.𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˊˎ˗
╰⪼ ⋆౨ৎ˚┆ 𝓟𝓻𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭: Spin the wheel pick! My tbr is getting outta control atm. I need this to be good, but I'm not setting the bar too high to get myself disappointed.
📆┆˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Dates read: 8/25/25 - 8/31/25
𓂃🖊┆𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼:
➛ marriage of convenience ⋆ one bed ⋆ magical libraries ⋆ portal doors ⋆ floating kingdoms ⋆ monsters ⋆ vengeful gods ⋆ accidental curses ⋆ bargains & blood oaths
🏷️┆𝓐𝓽 𝓪 𝓰𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮:
💚 standalone debut YA romantasy
✨ quest in a forbidden land to steal a magical scroll
🏰 fantasy kingdoms with a unique magic system
🗝️ stubborn FMC who can magically unlock any object
👑 prince romantic love interest
❤️ slow burn romance with no spice
🔮 curses, monsters, and angry gods
👨👩👧👦 strong familial relationships
📚 uneven pacing with a rushed ending
➛ third person, single POV
📋┆𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼:
Elia Tallis’s key conjuring abilities, when used with her father’s magic, allow her to open a path to any location. But Papa is dying, and Elia has been forced to painfully tether him to life so she can siphon his magic to provide for her siblings. The god of death, angry to be denied his due, punishes her by claiming her youngest brother as a servant.
Desperate to save her brother, Elia accepts a potentially deadly commission from Trys, a kindhearted prince. Elia makes a deal to find the Scroll of Peace in a forbidden land where getting caught means uncertain death. Despite the danger of their quest, Elia and Trys find themselves increasingly drawn to each other. But the scroll's power has unforeseen, monstrous consequences that will change the course of their lives. Elia will have to wield her power in ways she never thought possible, braving a world of endless darkness and the nightmares that dwell within it to break a curse that threatens the one she loves.
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
💭┆𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
╰┈➤ 📌┆Initial Thoughts:
➛ Wow... so this was a flop. Overwhelmingly dull and lackluster. The world and premise were great, but the execution was poor.
╰┈➤ 📝┆Plot and Pacing: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ The primary issue I had with the plot was that we already knew what was going to happen thanks to the synopsis. It gave away the majority of the story up until 60%. A synopsis should not describe the whole story. As a result, I felt bored and disinterested in the beginning half, which felt like it dragged! It took me several days to reach the 45% mark. The pacing significantly picked up thereafter, but the resolution felt overly rushed. Hello pacing issues! This would've been better served as a duology. More time could've been spent in the forbidden kingdom. Adding some flashbacks would have offered depth to our FMC's character arc as well. Overall, it was just poorly executed.
╰┈➤ 👫┆Characters: 3 stars ✰✰✰
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 🗝️┆Elia Tallis
➛ Elia is fiercely loyal and protective of her family, which is her most redeeming quality. She will go to the ends of the earth for her siblings, literally. Although at times she was reckless and slightly egotistical when it came to her powers, she had some growth near the end of the book. Despite this, her character came across as distant and unengaging.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 👑┆Prince Trystoferian "Trys"
➛ I wanted so much more from him! Adorably awkward and determined to honor his brother by ending the war that's plaguing his country. His time on the page felt limited due to spoilery reasons, which is again why it should have been separated into two books. We did not have enough scenes or interactions with his character.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Romance/Spice
➛ Because there was not enough interaction between Elia and Trys, I did not believe they fell in love. Do they even know each other at this point? Their relationship felt underdeveloped. At least they had some decent chemistry. Additionally, some of the romantic scenes took place at inappropriate times. Trying to steal a forbidden object in a high-security place? Perfect timing for a make-out session. Ugh, read the room!
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Minor Characters
➛ My favorite aspect of the book was the relationship between the four siblings. The strong, familiar relationships tugged at my heartstrings a little, especially with the youngest. This is what gave life to the book, and I wish it had been highlighted more.
╰┈➤ ✎┆Setting and Writing: 3 stars ✰✰✰
➛ This world had sooo much potential! The magic system is unique, allowing people to create keys that unlock any object, travel through doors to any location, and wield various abilities, including those of magical weavers, healers, math wizards, bakers, and history buffs. Unfortunately, it was underdeveloped (my favorite word for this review). There was little to no explanation on how these abilities work. I really liked the floating kingdom and wished we had spent more time there. At times, the world felt whimsical, but this was fleeting. It had some bright moments, but it just never stayed. I also desperately wanted a world map. I found the writing to be pretty good for a debut novel, though.
╰┈➤ ☁️┆Themes: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ Unlock the Dark revolves around sacrifice, family devotion, the price of magic, and the nature of love. It explores the immense lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones, even when it means facing literal darkness and the god of death.
╰┈➤ 💕┆Emotional Impact: 1 star ✰
➛ The characters felt distant. I had little to no feeling or connection with the story.
╰┈➤ ✨┆Enjoyment: 2 stars ✰✰
➛ Did I have fun? Meh. Was I engaged in the story? Not really. Did I have an emotional connection? Definitely not. Am I left thinking about it afterward? Yes, but not in a good way.
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
╰┈➤ 🚨┆𝓑𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓸𝓶-𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮:
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ The premise and world-building had so much potential, but were poorly executed. The pacing was all over the place, and the ending rushed. It would've been a decent duology if we had been given more time for world-building and romance development. Overall, a disappointing read.
➛ ✔ 𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭? Meh, probably not
➛ 📚┆𝓢𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼: (that are better!)
- A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
- These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
- The Prison Healer by Lynette Non
─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────
Read
March 10, 2025firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
unfortunately dnf @40%
i felt that there were too many subplots introduced at once, and none of them held my attention.
i’m sure this book will find its audience but it’s not me
unfortunately dnf @40%
i felt that there were too many subplots introduced at once, and none of them held my attention.
i’m sure this book will find its audience but it’s not me
February 15, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley and Sasa Hawk for an advanced copy of Unlock the Dark! All opinions remain my own.
Oh my goodness, this book was an absolute delight!! From the whimsical and totally fun world building, to the enchanting magic system and the endearing characters, each time I sat down to read, it felt like a warm hug.
There is a magical library filled with trained lemurs, a conjurista who creates keys to doorways by...licking the locks, and a terrifying monster named Cuddles. I mean...what more could you need?
Oh my goodness, this book was an absolute delight!! From the whimsical and totally fun world building, to the enchanting magic system and the endearing characters, each time I sat down to read, it felt like a warm hug.
There is a magical library filled with trained lemurs, a conjurista who creates keys to doorways by...licking the locks, and a terrifying monster named Cuddles. I mean...what more could you need?
October 9, 2024
First and most important, I think this book should’ve been a duology. I wouldn’t say everything felt rushed but things could’ve definitely been developed more, I finished the book wanting more details on a lot of things
Second, I wantedneeded more of Trys. To me he was one of the most interesting characters to follow so I REALLY missed him after that thing happened (not going to spoil it 🫵🏻). The fact that he didn’t show up for so long made a huge difference in the story for me
Third, the romance had so much potential but it got sidelined in several parts. Their romantic scenes were perfect but I can count on one hand how many there were, I also think they went from strangers to “I love you” waaaaaay too fast
I loved the setting, that part was definitely well developed and left me wanting to read more stories set in that world, also the magic system was different from anything I’ve read before and that alone earned it some bonus points
I truly wish the book had been longer or split into two parts bc the story has so much potential to fit into just 350ish pages. Despite everything, it’s still worth the read
Thank you Netgalley & HarperCollins for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review :)
Second, I wanted
Third, the romance had so much potential but it got sidelined in several parts. Their romantic scenes were perfect but I can count on one hand how many there were, I also think they went from strangers to “I love you” waaaaaay too fast
I loved the setting, that part was definitely well developed and left me wanting to read more stories set in that world, also the magic system was different from anything I’ve read before and that alone earned it some bonus points
I truly wish the book had been longer or split into two parts bc the story has so much potential to fit into just 350ish pages. Despite everything, it’s still worth the read
Thank you Netgalley & HarperCollins for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review :)
August 31, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the arc! Hm, I’m conflicted on this one. This book was engaging, but the weakest aspect of this story was the romance, which is unfortunate for a romantasy. I did like some other aspects about this story though. I’ll break it down into pros and cons.
Cons:
-Instalove
-I really liked the world building we got, but as always I wish there was more.
-I know this was a YA romantasy, but the romance read very cliche and juvenile. Once again, it was easily the weakest aspect of this book.
-I thought we’d see more of Elia pushing the boundaries of her magic. We got way too little. It was essentially a zero to hero arc, and it felt very underdeveloped.
-Third act was a decline in quality, especially towards the end. Some plot points frustrated and/or confused me.
-Speaking of the ending…nah fam
Pros:
-Loved the world building we did actually get. I can see (and I want) more interconnected standalones in this world
-Speaking of which, I want more Serratura. What a fascinating country we spent too few pages in. I especially want to see more of the big city with its Rings, culture, advancements, and library. That being said, the countryside also had its own culture and appeal. The lore of this country was fascinating too; I just want all of it. MORE SERRATURA PLEASE!
-Loved Elia’s family and all their dynamics. This is the relationship I wanted more focus on. This was way more developed than the romance.
-Interesting yet underutilized magic system. Elia’s type of magic was unique and interesting.
-Cuddles -ikyk
All in all, this book was a fascinating concept with a lukewarm execution. That being said, I did love this world, and would love to see more in it, particularly plot/character forward as opposed to romance. I do see potential for this author, and will watch out for what she writes next, all though cautiously. -3.5 cursebound scrolls
Cons:
-Instalove
-I really liked the world building we got, but as always I wish there was more.
-I know this was a YA romantasy, but the romance read very cliche and juvenile. Once again, it was easily the weakest aspect of this book.
-I thought we’d see more of Elia pushing the boundaries of her magic. We got way too little. It was essentially a zero to hero arc, and it felt very underdeveloped.
-Third act was a decline in quality, especially towards the end. Some plot points frustrated and/or confused me.
-Speaking of the ending…nah fam
Pros:
-Loved the world building we did actually get. I can see (and I want) more interconnected standalones in this world
-Speaking of which, I want more Serratura. What a fascinating country we spent too few pages in. I especially want to see more of the big city with its Rings, culture, advancements, and library. That being said, the countryside also had its own culture and appeal. The lore of this country was fascinating too; I just want all of it. MORE SERRATURA PLEASE!
-Loved Elia’s family and all their dynamics. This is the relationship I wanted more focus on. This was way more developed than the romance.
-Interesting yet underutilized magic system. Elia’s type of magic was unique and interesting.
-Cuddles -ikyk
All in all, this book was a fascinating concept with a lukewarm execution. That being said, I did love this world, and would love to see more in it, particularly plot/character forward as opposed to romance. I do see potential for this author, and will watch out for what she writes next, all though cautiously. -3.5 cursebound scrolls
February 23, 2025
Now playing:
Carry You Home - Alex Warren
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Characters:
Elia: I liked her remorse, and she was super funny in the first chapter, her need to protect her family was super motivating. I did get frustrated with her at times, and she didn't have the deepest character arc, but on the surface she was a just fine main character.
Trys: He was a such a breath of fresh air, normally the princes in books are cocky and stuck up and daddy issues, you catch me? But he was just a sweet, scholar boy who was purehearted and had the best intentions in mind and who genuinely cared for Elia and her family and he was just an overall cutie patootie :)
The siblings: I liked their dynamic, while I wish I could have gotten to see more from them, the little we got I was happy with! They're all very dedicated to keeping their family safe and doing everything in their power to do so, my favorite was definitely Orin, he was such a sassy king and I loved him
Solbane & Cuddles: Iykyk, but these two were easily THE BEST CHARACTERS. I loved Cuddles and he's my baby, and Solbane just made me chuckle, I love him as well.
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Plot: The plot is what got me, I don't mind the insta love so much (I hate insta lust on the other hand) but I just YEARNED for more world building, she had such an original magic system and I wanted to see so much more of it, to meet more characters, but we just didn't. It took awhile for the plot to get started, and the ending dragged on. The third act was not my favorite and I felt like we could have been doing much more important things. The middle was definitely the best, but it was bit a struggle to reach there!
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Writing: The writing could drag on sometimes, but I overall liked it for the most part, it wasn't my favorite nor was it my least favorite, sometimes I wish we could have had a little more, sometimes I wish we could have had a little less.
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Overall thoughts: I think she has a lot of room to grow! She had such a unique magic system and I saw potential in the writing, but I just wish for better character arcs and focusing more on the world building.
"I'll be right here across the hall. If you call, I'll come right away."
"If that's what you want, I won't argue, but it's a bit too far for my preference."
"Would you like me to sleep in the chair next to your bed?"
An adorable blush crept up his neck, "Still too far I think"
She would walk through any darkness for the chance to flirt with him just like this. "Perhaps I should curl up on the foot of your bed, like a favored dog. Outside the covers of course." He pulled her close and folded her in his arms, "Still too far."
"Next to you outside the covers?"
"Too far."
"You'll have to tell me what you want then."
"In my arms seems right."
Carry You Home - Alex Warren
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Characters:
Elia: I liked her remorse, and she was super funny in the first chapter, her need to protect her family was super motivating. I did get frustrated with her at times, and she didn't have the deepest character arc, but on the surface she was a just fine main character.
Trys: He was a such a breath of fresh air, normally the princes in books are cocky and stuck up and daddy issues, you catch me? But he was just a sweet, scholar boy who was purehearted and had the best intentions in mind and who genuinely cared for Elia and her family and he was just an overall cutie patootie :)
The siblings: I liked their dynamic, while I wish I could have gotten to see more from them, the little we got I was happy with! They're all very dedicated to keeping their family safe and doing everything in their power to do so, my favorite was definitely Orin, he was such a sassy king and I loved him
Solbane & Cuddles: Iykyk, but these two were easily THE BEST CHARACTERS. I loved Cuddles and he's my baby, and Solbane just made me chuckle, I love him as well.
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Plot: The plot is what got me, I don't mind the insta love so much (I hate insta lust on the other hand) but I just YEARNED for more world building, she had such an original magic system and I wanted to see so much more of it, to meet more characters, but we just didn't. It took awhile for the plot to get started, and the ending dragged on. The third act was not my favorite and I felt like we could have been doing much more important things. The middle was definitely the best, but it was bit a struggle to reach there!
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Writing: The writing could drag on sometimes, but I overall liked it for the most part, it wasn't my favorite nor was it my least favorite, sometimes I wish we could have had a little more, sometimes I wish we could have had a little less.
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Overall thoughts: I think she has a lot of room to grow! She had such a unique magic system and I saw potential in the writing, but I just wish for better character arcs and focusing more on the world building.
"I'll be right here across the hall. If you call, I'll come right away."
"If that's what you want, I won't argue, but it's a bit too far for my preference."
"Would you like me to sleep in the chair next to your bed?"
An adorable blush crept up his neck, "Still too far I think"
She would walk through any darkness for the chance to flirt with him just like this. "Perhaps I should curl up on the foot of your bed, like a favored dog. Outside the covers of course." He pulled her close and folded her in his arms, "Still too far."
"Next to you outside the covers?"
"Too far."
"You'll have to tell me what you want then."
"In my arms seems right."
August 6, 2024
I wanted to love this so much but unfortunately it didn’t hit the way I wish it did 😔 I almost don’t want to write this review because there were so many things I didn’t enjoy about this.
Let’s start with the good. I loved the setting, it’s whimsical and I just loved it so much. Another thing I loved was the magic, and I wish we got to see more of what Elia could do. I also did really like both of the main characters but I wanted more Trys.
Ok let’s move on to what I didn’t like. I think my biggest problem is the pacing of the book. I think this would have done so well as a duology. Before the big conflict I wanted more relationship development between the characters and seen them go through a hardship together before the big one. I think the second half would be so much better dragged out (not in a boring way obv) but in the way that we get to see the characters go through their feelings on what to do and what happened and maybe the aftermath of all of it as well. The romance was cute but it was insta lovey, if the characters went through more together I would love them sm more. And can’t forget Cuddles <3
Overall I loved the setting but wish the pacing and depth of the characters was more developed.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the arc <3
Let’s start with the good. I loved the setting, it’s whimsical and I just loved it so much. Another thing I loved was the magic, and I wish we got to see more of what Elia could do. I also did really like both of the main characters but I wanted more Trys.
Ok let’s move on to what I didn’t like. I think my biggest problem is the pacing of the book. I think this would have done so well as a duology. Before the big conflict I wanted more relationship development between the characters and seen them go through a hardship together before the big one. I think the second half would be so much better dragged out (not in a boring way obv) but in the way that we get to see the characters go through their feelings on what to do and what happened and maybe the aftermath of all of it as well. The romance was cute but it was insta lovey, if the characters went through more together I would love them sm more. And can’t forget Cuddles <3
Overall I loved the setting but wish the pacing and depth of the characters was more developed.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the arc <3
March 5, 2025
2025 reads: 43/300
2025 tbr: 18/111
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
elia tallis can open a path to any location thanks to her key conjuring abilities and her papa’s magic. but as her papa is dying, she has painfully tethered him to life to siphon his magic and provide for her siblings. angered by this, the god of death takes elia’s youngest brother as a servant. desperate to save him, elia accepts a deadly commission from prince trys, who wants elia to help him find a scroll. if she’s successful, he’ll wed her and provide for her family. as they search for the scroll, the two begin to fall for each other…but trys transforms into a monster and they realize they may have bit off more than they could chew.
this book sounded so cool, and i do enjoy a good romantasy, so i was very excited to read this! i really liked learning about elia’s key magic, which isn’t something i’ve seen much of in other books. i loved the buildup between elia and trys and thought their relationship was done well. overall, this was a pretty unique and interesting book. i’d recommend it to people who enjoy YA romantasy, and i’m looking forward to reading more from sasa hawk.
2025 tbr: 18/111
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
elia tallis can open a path to any location thanks to her key conjuring abilities and her papa’s magic. but as her papa is dying, she has painfully tethered him to life to siphon his magic and provide for her siblings. angered by this, the god of death takes elia’s youngest brother as a servant. desperate to save him, elia accepts a deadly commission from prince trys, who wants elia to help him find a scroll. if she’s successful, he’ll wed her and provide for her family. as they search for the scroll, the two begin to fall for each other…but trys transforms into a monster and they realize they may have bit off more than they could chew.
this book sounded so cool, and i do enjoy a good romantasy, so i was very excited to read this! i really liked learning about elia’s key magic, which isn’t something i’ve seen much of in other books. i loved the buildup between elia and trys and thought their relationship was done well. overall, this was a pretty unique and interesting book. i’d recommend it to people who enjoy YA romantasy, and i’m looking forward to reading more from sasa hawk.
August 11, 2025
3.75!
this was a sweet YA fantasy! the premise & magic system were so unique! the romance was more of a subplot but it was so pure. their kiss in the library dungeons was my fav!
this started out really strong for me and then in the middle i switched to the audio book. there were a few chapters that i got bored and kinda zoned out, but i loved the end!
it was a little TOO ya for me but i would definitely recommend this to my middle schoolers or high schoolers!
🤐NO STRONG LANGUAGE🤐
🔥NO SPICE🔥
this was a sweet YA fantasy! the premise & magic system were so unique! the romance was more of a subplot but it was so pure. their kiss in the library dungeons was my fav!
this started out really strong for me and then in the middle i switched to the audio book. there were a few chapters that i got bored and kinda zoned out, but i loved the end!
it was a little TOO ya for me but i would definitely recommend this to my middle schoolers or high schoolers!
🤐NO STRONG LANGUAGE🤐
🔥NO SPICE🔥
April 20, 2025
It was a really cozy comfort book!
3.5 stars!
3.5 stars!
November 14, 2024
If you’re in the mood for a story that will transport you to a whimsical, magical world, Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk is exactly what you need! Fans of Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart series will absolutely love this one. The atmosphere is enchanting, the stakes are high, and the world-building is utterly captivating.
The story follows Elia, a Conjurista with a unique ability: she can conjure keys for any lock. As the oldest of four siblings, Elia has had to take on a lot of responsibility, managing her family’s travel shop after her mother’s death and her father’s illness. Things take a turn when a mysterious boy enters her life and asks her to create a key to open a door to a place she vowed never to visit again—the floating islands of Serratura.
The plot was so thrilling, with twists and turns I didn’t see coming! What’s even more amazing is that this is a standalone novel—yes, you get a complete, magical journey in just one book. It’s so rare to find a fully realized world wrapped up in a single volume, and Hawk does it beautifully. Of course, I’d happily read more stories set in this universe, but I was so satisfied with this one that I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.
If you decide to dive in, I highly recommend going in blind. The surprises and revelations are part of what makes the story so mesmerizing. Unlock the Dark is one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page—it’s a tale that truly leaves its mark.
The story follows Elia, a Conjurista with a unique ability: she can conjure keys for any lock. As the oldest of four siblings, Elia has had to take on a lot of responsibility, managing her family’s travel shop after her mother’s death and her father’s illness. Things take a turn when a mysterious boy enters her life and asks her to create a key to open a door to a place she vowed never to visit again—the floating islands of Serratura.
The plot was so thrilling, with twists and turns I didn’t see coming! What’s even more amazing is that this is a standalone novel—yes, you get a complete, magical journey in just one book. It’s so rare to find a fully realized world wrapped up in a single volume, and Hawk does it beautifully. Of course, I’d happily read more stories set in this universe, but I was so satisfied with this one that I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.
If you decide to dive in, I highly recommend going in blind. The surprises and revelations are part of what makes the story so mesmerizing. Unlock the Dark is one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page—it’s a tale that truly leaves its mark.
February 19, 2025
4.5/5
Very different from main stream fantasy. Elia is the care taker of 4 younger siblings and it's a book where the main character isn't violent. This book was a breath of fresh air. The world building was pretty solid and I could follow what was going on enough for what I needed to know for the story. The magic is where I took off points because it's not really explained you are just kind of thrown in terms and are expected to just go along with it (in the arc there isn't anything to help with it not sure if the printed book will have something). Also the gods are just named randomly I'm not sure what kind of polytheistic world this is but I just went with it because I absolutely loved the story line. It's low violence just a street smart girl trying to make it for her family. The relationship between Elia and her her siblings is strong and I absolutely loved the connection that they had. Elia and the MMC was a little quick as for how the timeline went. But their little quirky jabs and angst was such fun to read. I am so happy I went into this book blind it was such a fun read! And I can't wait for more from the author!
Thank you NetGalley and Storytide for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
Very different from main stream fantasy. Elia is the care taker of 4 younger siblings and it's a book where the main character isn't violent. This book was a breath of fresh air. The world building was pretty solid and I could follow what was going on enough for what I needed to know for the story. The magic is where I took off points because it's not really explained you are just kind of thrown in terms and are expected to just go along with it (in the arc there isn't anything to help with it not sure if the printed book will have something). Also the gods are just named randomly I'm not sure what kind of polytheistic world this is but I just went with it because I absolutely loved the story line. It's low violence just a street smart girl trying to make it for her family. The relationship between Elia and her her siblings is strong and I absolutely loved the connection that they had. Elia and the MMC was a little quick as for how the timeline went. But their little quirky jabs and angst was such fun to read. I am so happy I went into this book blind it was such a fun read! And I can't wait for more from the author!
Thank you NetGalley and Storytide for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
May 20, 2025
DNF @ 62%
Unfortunately this fell flat for me. There were too many important plot points introduced with not nearly enough time to explain everything with enough depth to make it grab (and keep) my attention or interest. I got whiplash from it all. The characters also felt under developed and the romance felt very reminiscence of instalove (which I despise) . This story may have been better served as a duology.
Thank you to HarperCollins for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately this fell flat for me. There were too many important plot points introduced with not nearly enough time to explain everything with enough depth to make it grab (and keep) my attention or interest. I got whiplash from it all. The characters also felt under developed and the romance felt very reminiscence of instalove (which I despise) . This story may have been better served as a duology.
Thank you to HarperCollins for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2025
Rating-
3/5 stars
Genre-
Age Rating For It-
14+ because for one the age just fits for the book and there is also some violence but barely any other than mentions of the violence from the battle field in the war and then there is also some romance and kissing but nothing explicit.
Tropes-
One bed
Insta lust (pretty much)
Monster that needs to be stopped (iykyk)
Unique magic system
Magical curses
Warring Kingdoms
Quotes-
“To those who are lost in the dark. May you find the light that leads you home.” (dedication)
“He pressed his forehead against hers and sighed, ‘I’ve wanted to do that since the first moment I saw you, Conjurista.’” (right after they kiss for the first time)
Thoughts/Would I Recommend This?-
I liked this book, but I didn’t really love it and I don’t even really know why to be honest I just didn’t really connect with this book at all, it was just kind of meh. For me, it was just one of those books that was neither amazing nor terrible, really. I just started it and then read it and then finished it and then moved on like there wasn’t any real sadness that I was done with it and moving on, I just moved on and that was that. Even though I say that, I think other people would definitely like this more than me, and so I would recommend people check it out because you may end up liking it way more than me because it was still a good book, just not the best one in my opinion.
(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
3/5 stars
Genre-
Age Rating For It-
14+ because for one the age just fits for the book and there is also some violence but barely any other than mentions of the violence from the battle field in the war and then there is also some romance and kissing but nothing explicit.
Tropes-
One bed
Insta lust (pretty much)
Monster that needs to be stopped (iykyk)
Unique magic system
Magical curses
Warring Kingdoms
Quotes-
“To those who are lost in the dark. May you find the light that leads you home.” (dedication)
“He pressed his forehead against hers and sighed, ‘I’ve wanted to do that since the first moment I saw you, Conjurista.’” (right after they kiss for the first time)
Thoughts/Would I Recommend This?-
I liked this book, but I didn’t really love it and I don’t even really know why to be honest I just didn’t really connect with this book at all, it was just kind of meh. For me, it was just one of those books that was neither amazing nor terrible, really. I just started it and then read it and then finished it and then moved on like there wasn’t any real sadness that I was done with it and moving on, I just moved on and that was that. Even though I say that, I think other people would definitely like this more than me, and so I would recommend people check it out because you may end up liking it way more than me because it was still a good book, just not the best one in my opinion.
(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
December 15, 2024
Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk is a standalone fantasy romance set in a richly detailed world. The story follows Elia Tallis, a young woman navigating love, family responsibilities, and a dangerous quest that could change her future. With a blend of magic, emotional stakes, and adventure, the novel explores themes of sacrifice and resilience.
The world-building in the first half of the book was stunning. I especially loved how Sasa Hawk described colors and furnishings, painting a vivid and immersive picture. However, in the second half, I found the visual aspects less defined, which left me feeling a bit lost. More detail, especially regarding the magical elements and character appearances, would have greatly enhanced the story. Unfortunately, many of the characters felt incomplete without physical descriptions.
Overall, while I thoroughly enjoyed the first 50%, the latter half left me wanting more. A stronger focus on details could have made the book feel more cohesive and fully realized.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book prior to its publication.
The world-building in the first half of the book was stunning. I especially loved how Sasa Hawk described colors and furnishings, painting a vivid and immersive picture. However, in the second half, I found the visual aspects less defined, which left me feeling a bit lost. More detail, especially regarding the magical elements and character appearances, would have greatly enhanced the story. Unfortunately, many of the characters felt incomplete without physical descriptions.
Overall, while I thoroughly enjoyed the first 50%, the latter half left me wanting more. A stronger focus on details could have made the book feel more cohesive and fully realized.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book prior to its publication.
September 2, 2024
First off, a huge thank you goes to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this book totally blind (I requested it from NetGalley many moons ago and forgot everything about its description) and I loved every moment of it. Well, almost. I wasn't a fan of the insta-love and constant bedroom eyes the characters gave every other page. The romance aspect of things was cute, but also felt incredibly juvenile at times.
The plot, on the other hand, was fantastic and made up for any awkwardness and gawking that took place. It was an incredibly fast-paced read, and I really appreciated the depth that we saw in each of the characters- especially Elia. I also LOVED Cuddles.
The ending was a little too rushed, in my opinion, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. I'm just not entirely sure I'd count this as a "romantasy" like it's being marketed as.
I went into this book totally blind (I requested it from NetGalley many moons ago and forgot everything about its description) and I loved every moment of it. Well, almost. I wasn't a fan of the insta-love and constant bedroom eyes the characters gave every other page. The romance aspect of things was cute, but also felt incredibly juvenile at times.
The plot, on the other hand, was fantastic and made up for any awkwardness and gawking that took place. It was an incredibly fast-paced read, and I really appreciated the depth that we saw in each of the characters- especially Elia. I also LOVED Cuddles.
The ending was a little too rushed, in my opinion, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. I'm just not entirely sure I'd count this as a "romantasy" like it's being marketed as.
December 1, 2025
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This was a fun read! I have been enjoying the romantasy genre. I enjoyed the characters in this book. This book left me excited to read the next one coming out. I would recommend this to anyone who loves an adventure mixed with romance.
May 4, 2025
Loved Trys, but loved even more Cuddles👀
I think this book should’ve been a duology, as there were too many subplots, but I still loved it so much. One of my favourite reads and certainly a great read after the devastating Sunrise on the Reaping and my Genetics book 📕
I think this book should’ve been a duology, as there were too many subplots, but I still loved it so much. One of my favourite reads and certainly a great read after the devastating Sunrise on the Reaping and my Genetics book 📕
February 28, 2025
I’m sorry but this really gave me nothing - every time something interesting seemed to begin it was just immediately glossed over - there was no development and plot points were all over the place
May 29, 2025
Rounding up to a 5 from a 4.5
I had been eyeing this in the bookstore a couple of times, so I was very pleased when it was in the Locked Library May box. Not only is the colour variant cover pretty, the sprayed edge is beautiful.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It had everything I’d expect of a romantasy book - an interesting magic system, bargains with gods, interesting characters and a really sweet romance.
While I can’t quite put it into Cosy Fantasy because the stakes are too high, I do feel it gives off those vibes - it also had a slight Ghibli vibe to it. I could definitely see this as a cartoon/anime!
I’m definitely going to look out for Sasa’s next book!
I had been eyeing this in the bookstore a couple of times, so I was very pleased when it was in the Locked Library May box. Not only is the colour variant cover pretty, the sprayed edge is beautiful.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It had everything I’d expect of a romantasy book - an interesting magic system, bargains with gods, interesting characters and a really sweet romance.
While I can’t quite put it into Cosy Fantasy because the stakes are too high, I do feel it gives off those vibes - it also had a slight Ghibli vibe to it. I could definitely see this as a cartoon/anime!
I’m definitely going to look out for Sasa’s next book!
March 1, 2025
3.5
This is not bad - in fact I enjoyed the unique magic system and the very mature fmc and mmc ✨ For a debut novel, Hawk has a lot of promise.
However, I found the plot formulaic, but suits the younger YA readers. 😞
This is not bad - in fact I enjoyed the unique magic system and the very mature fmc and mmc ✨ For a debut novel, Hawk has a lot of promise.
However, I found the plot formulaic, but suits the younger YA readers. 😞
March 14, 2025
With a complex and immersive magic system, lush world-building, and a thought provoking look into the moral and ethical consequences of magic—I was utterly blown away by how much I enjoyed this!
The writing was beautifully descriptive and I loved getting to explore the various magical aspects (and lore) that make up this world. The pacing was good too, if a little swifter than I had anticipated, which meant it (thanks to the high stakes intensity of the narrative) wasn’t as slow to start as other fantasy novels.
I do think however, that the pacing could have been slightly slower in the second half. If only so I could’ve immersed myself more in the tension —and explore Elia’s thoughts and feelings in more depth. Especially as we watch her attempts to deal with the repercussions that many of her choices have caused.
For a protagonist, Elia, and her resourceful determination to protect her family (at any cost), was really intriguing. Her desire to spare her young siblings from emotional (and physical) upheaval was one of the main factors that endeared me to her.
But the choices she makes in order to do so, are marred in ethical implications which I felt added a complex, morally grey edge that made anticipating her next move (or any of the plot in general) almost impossible— which is something I absolutely loved!
Her interactions with Trys, gave us romance lovers some much needed (and rather swoony) slow burn content to enjoy. But the romance is more of a side plot than the main event, with the focus primarily on Elia trying to save her family and right some of her previous wrongs.
I also think the character development for some of the other characters, wasn’t as in depth as I would’ve liked. However, for a standalone under 350 pages, debut author Sasa Hawk has done a spectacular job of crafting a compelling and thought provoking, dark fairytale of a read that I never wanted to end.
I’ll definitely be reading everything Hawk writes from now on— and ask only that we see more of this world, it’s Gods, monsters (especially Solbane), and unique magic system in future works. And as always, do check the TWs
Also, thank you Instabooktours and Harper360YA for the finished copy and my spot on the upcoming socials tour.
The writing was beautifully descriptive and I loved getting to explore the various magical aspects (and lore) that make up this world. The pacing was good too, if a little swifter than I had anticipated, which meant it (thanks to the high stakes intensity of the narrative) wasn’t as slow to start as other fantasy novels.
I do think however, that the pacing could have been slightly slower in the second half. If only so I could’ve immersed myself more in the tension —and explore Elia’s thoughts and feelings in more depth. Especially as we watch her attempts to deal with the repercussions that many of her choices have caused.
For a protagonist, Elia, and her resourceful determination to protect her family (at any cost), was really intriguing. Her desire to spare her young siblings from emotional (and physical) upheaval was one of the main factors that endeared me to her.
But the choices she makes in order to do so, are marred in ethical implications which I felt added a complex, morally grey edge that made anticipating her next move (or any of the plot in general) almost impossible— which is something I absolutely loved!
Her interactions with Trys, gave us romance lovers some much needed (and rather swoony) slow burn content to enjoy. But the romance is more of a side plot than the main event, with the focus primarily on Elia trying to save her family and right some of her previous wrongs.
I also think the character development for some of the other characters, wasn’t as in depth as I would’ve liked. However, for a standalone under 350 pages, debut author Sasa Hawk has done a spectacular job of crafting a compelling and thought provoking, dark fairytale of a read that I never wanted to end.
I’ll definitely be reading everything Hawk writes from now on— and ask only that we see more of this world, it’s Gods, monsters (especially Solbane), and unique magic system in future works. And as always, do check the TWs
Also, thank you Instabooktours and Harper360YA for the finished copy and my spot on the upcoming socials tour.
May 10, 2025
A perfectly paced fantasy with magic, curses, gods and a swoon worthy romance. I absolutely ADORED this book, I was turning through those pages so fast.
Not sure if there’s a confirmed sequel but hoping and praying there is because I need more from this world and from Elia and Trys because they’re ADORABLE!!!
Not sure if there’s a confirmed sequel but hoping and praying there is because I need more from this world and from Elia and Trys because they’re ADORABLE!!!
January 12, 2025
Thank you to Edelweiss and Storytide (Harper Collins) for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
You don't find a lot of stand alone fantasy books. I know it's hard to build a world and bring the story full circle in only one book. I have to say Hawk did a fairly good job with it. Though I could definitely see where this could have been at least two books, maybe more.
The world Hawk creates is unique and intoxicating. She builds the world easily without holes considering the time constraint of it being just one book. I would love to see more stories in this world even if they are novellas. I'd also love to see the other kingdoms. We had a glimpse of one outside of the main kingdom but not enough. It would be amazing to see a follow up with the characters in that world and see how they heal it! The magic system in this one is unique. It was nice to see the magic could manifest itself in anyone, not just those of a specific position.
Elia was an interesting character. I honestly think she felt younger than her 18/19 years of age. This was mostly due to her recklessness. She is definitely an act before you think kind of character which bites her more times than not. But she's feisty, smart, and witty and that made me feel a kinship with her. I wish we would have seen her stretch her magical boundaries just a bit more. Her relationship with her sister and brothers was done very well. And her found family was also a great support. I really liked the interactions we did see with them. You can feel her love and protection for them. It would be fun to follow their stories, as well.
Trys was not as fleshed out as I would have liked. I know that's harder when you only have one point of view, and with the fact that he spent a good amount of the book not being able to talk. I would have loved more background on him besides being told he is the 9th prince. His development was lacking for me though I did like him from what I was given.
I definitely felt an emotional attachment to theses characters. I enjoyed the romance, though it was a bit too insta-love for me and I would have liked to see the FMC and MMC spend just a bit more time together, learning each other, before they fell for each other. I think the fact that the book stands alone limited this a lot. It felt a bit rushed as the author only truly had a short time to bring them together.
I think the plot was interesting but it truly felt like totally different stories. One part takes place in Elia's homeland and the other in a dark battlefield. It made for a little of a disconnect in the story. This is where I feel like a duaology would have done this book justice. Because this was just one book, the pacing felt a bit rushed to me. I did love the different monsters Hawk presented to us, though. They were very interesting though I would have liked to see more of the lore attached to them so we could understand how they might fit into the magic system.
I am not sure I would classify this as a romantasy. Yes, there is a romantic aspect, but the plot truly focuses on something else and that overshadows the actual romance that is happening.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Hawk's writing was incredibly easy to read and her descriptiveness was great. I am looking forward to more stories from her in the future.
You don't find a lot of stand alone fantasy books. I know it's hard to build a world and bring the story full circle in only one book. I have to say Hawk did a fairly good job with it. Though I could definitely see where this could have been at least two books, maybe more.
The world Hawk creates is unique and intoxicating. She builds the world easily without holes considering the time constraint of it being just one book. I would love to see more stories in this world even if they are novellas. I'd also love to see the other kingdoms. We had a glimpse of one outside of the main kingdom but not enough. It would be amazing to see a follow up with the characters in that world and see how they heal it! The magic system in this one is unique. It was nice to see the magic could manifest itself in anyone, not just those of a specific position.
Elia was an interesting character. I honestly think she felt younger than her 18/19 years of age. This was mostly due to her recklessness. She is definitely an act before you think kind of character which bites her more times than not. But she's feisty, smart, and witty and that made me feel a kinship with her. I wish we would have seen her stretch her magical boundaries just a bit more. Her relationship with her sister and brothers was done very well. And her found family was also a great support. I really liked the interactions we did see with them. You can feel her love and protection for them. It would be fun to follow their stories, as well.
Trys was not as fleshed out as I would have liked. I know that's harder when you only have one point of view, and with the fact that he spent a good amount of the book not being able to talk. I would have loved more background on him besides being told he is the 9th prince. His development was lacking for me though I did like him from what I was given.
I definitely felt an emotional attachment to theses characters. I enjoyed the romance, though it was a bit too insta-love for me and I would have liked to see the FMC and MMC spend just a bit more time together, learning each other, before they fell for each other. I think the fact that the book stands alone limited this a lot. It felt a bit rushed as the author only truly had a short time to bring them together.
I think the plot was interesting but it truly felt like totally different stories. One part takes place in Elia's homeland and the other in a dark battlefield. It made for a little of a disconnect in the story. This is where I feel like a duaology would have done this book justice. Because this was just one book, the pacing felt a bit rushed to me. I did love the different monsters Hawk presented to us, though. They were very interesting though I would have liked to see more of the lore attached to them so we could understand how they might fit into the magic system.
I am not sure I would classify this as a romantasy. Yes, there is a romantic aspect, but the plot truly focuses on something else and that overshadows the actual romance that is happening.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Hawk's writing was incredibly easy to read and her descriptiveness was great. I am looking forward to more stories from her in the future.
April 17, 2025
This was fun! Unlock the Dark is a unique, magical debut YA romantic fantasy standalone.
We follow Elia Tallis, a conjurista who can open nearly any lock with her key-conjuring magic. By siphoning her dying father's door-conjuring magic and taking magical commissions, she is the sole provider for her younger siblings. The god of death, however, is displeased by this disruption in the natural order and takes her youngest brother as one of his servants. This concept of keeping her dying father alive to use his magic and provide for the family was quite interesting to me and unexpected for a YA book, but I thought it was handled well.
Prince Trys commissions Elia to help him find a magical scroll in the far off land of Serratura that would bring peace to their war-torn kingdom, in exchange for his hand in marriage and security for her siblings' futures.
The magic was unique, if not a little odd at times, and I really appreciated the whimsical and expansive world building. The two set off on their adventure to Serratura, and we're introduced to a different culture, language, and customs. On their journey, Elia is confronted with the choice to protect her family or her new friend/betrothed Trys.
One of my favorite themes in this was that of memory, as we learn some lore about Serratura and Elia's past which has caused individuals to forget their loved ones. I also appreciated how the author portrayed learning about a culture through a textbook versus actually experiencing culture while being in that place. This led to funny moments and blunders from the scholar prince, who had done extensive research on Serratura, when he was confronted with how Serraturans actually speak and dress and act.
The romance was very wholesome and cute (instalove), and I liked most of the characters. Elia acted her age, which is great, but unfortunately she frustrated me a bit. I would have appreciated her arc to be a bit more fleshed out. Some parts felt a bit rushed and there were a lot of different subplots happening at once, but overall I thought this was a great debut!
(Also, a plus: my favorite artist did the cover for this book!)
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
We follow Elia Tallis, a conjurista who can open nearly any lock with her key-conjuring magic. By siphoning her dying father's door-conjuring magic and taking magical commissions, she is the sole provider for her younger siblings. The god of death, however, is displeased by this disruption in the natural order and takes her youngest brother as one of his servants. This concept of keeping her dying father alive to use his magic and provide for the family was quite interesting to me and unexpected for a YA book, but I thought it was handled well.
Prince Trys commissions Elia to help him find a magical scroll in the far off land of Serratura that would bring peace to their war-torn kingdom, in exchange for his hand in marriage and security for her siblings' futures.
The magic was unique, if not a little odd at times, and I really appreciated the whimsical and expansive world building. The two set off on their adventure to Serratura, and we're introduced to a different culture, language, and customs. On their journey, Elia is confronted with the choice to protect her family or her new friend/betrothed Trys.
One of my favorite themes in this was that of memory, as we learn some lore about Serratura and Elia's past which has caused individuals to forget their loved ones. I also appreciated how the author portrayed learning about a culture through a textbook versus actually experiencing culture while being in that place. This led to funny moments and blunders from the scholar prince, who had done extensive research on Serratura, when he was confronted with how Serraturans actually speak and dress and act.
The romance was very wholesome and cute (instalove), and I liked most of the characters. Elia acted her age, which is great, but unfortunately she frustrated me a bit. I would have appreciated her arc to be a bit more fleshed out. Some parts felt a bit rushed and there were a lot of different subplots happening at once, but overall I thought this was a great debut!
(Also, a plus: my favorite artist did the cover for this book!)
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
September 21, 2024
Read this if you love:
🔐 unique magic systems
👑 scholar princes
💛 fantasy standalones
I requested this ARC on a whim and I'm so glad I did. I love supporting debut authors and Unlock the Dark was just the book to break my reading slump.
Elia is a Conjurista, a magic user with the ability to open any lock. She uses her ability in tandem with her father's to unlock doors to faraway places—for a price. When her father falls ill, Elia makes the difficult choice to painfully extend his life using magic to provide for her young siblings. This enrages the god of death, who claims her brother's life as as servant in recompense. A deal with a kind prince named Trys may be the only option Elia has to save her family from ruin. In exchange for her help, Trys offers Elia has hand in marriage!
I loved Elia, our protagonist. Her devotion to her family was beautiful and layered. Everything she does is to protect them. The magic system was unique, though Elia's magic gets a little... weird. I can't even describe it without sharing spoilers, but just know that it's a little odd. 😂 Regarding the romance, Trys was fantastic. Truly, he's a bookboyfriend fiancé for the ages. It's rare to see such a genuinely kindhearted, male love interest in YA fantasy these days: we need more cinnamon roll princes!
The first half was excellent, but I do think the pacing suffered a bit in the second half. However, I'm okay with it because this is a debut novel and it was still engaging enough to finish. I'm glad this was a standalone, but I hope the author writes more in this world. I can't wait to read more from Sasa Hawk!
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
🔐 unique magic systems
👑 scholar princes
💛 fantasy standalones
I requested this ARC on a whim and I'm so glad I did. I love supporting debut authors and Unlock the Dark was just the book to break my reading slump.
Elia is a Conjurista, a magic user with the ability to open any lock. She uses her ability in tandem with her father's to unlock doors to faraway places—for a price. When her father falls ill, Elia makes the difficult choice to painfully extend his life using magic to provide for her young siblings. This enrages the god of death, who claims her brother's life as as servant in recompense. A deal with a kind prince named Trys may be the only option Elia has to save her family from ruin. In exchange for her help, Trys offers Elia has hand in marriage!
I loved Elia, our protagonist. Her devotion to her family was beautiful and layered. Everything she does is to protect them. The magic system was unique, though Elia's magic gets a little... weird. I can't even describe it without sharing spoilers, but just know that it's a little odd. 😂 Regarding the romance, Trys was fantastic. Truly, he's a book
The first half was excellent, but I do think the pacing suffered a bit in the second half. However, I'm okay with it because this is a debut novel and it was still engaging enough to finish. I'm glad this was a standalone, but I hope the author writes more in this world. I can't wait to read more from Sasa Hawk!
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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