I would like to thank Book of Matches Media and C.C. Tyler for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
4.5⭐️ rounded to 5⭐️ on Goodreads and retail sites. In Darkness & Duty, published on September 24, 2024, is the second book in the Prophecy of Soren Trilogy by C. C. Tyler. Cover design is by @fantastical-ink and @alexandrabrlm_art created the character art. This 520 page book follows immediately in the wake of the cliffhanger from Of Faith & Flame. While that book was solely about Kade and Evelyn, this book introduces a second romance between Kade’s older brother and heir to the pack Alpha, Eldrick, and Evelyn’s best friend, Tovi, who had been keeping an enormous secret. Kade needed Tovi to help him rescue Evelyn from Tovi’s twin brother. Tovi wanted an alliance with the wolves. Read above for book blurb. Despite its’ length, this was an easy read which went quickly and was the perfect sequel. The author increased from two POVs to four, and each perspective helped to pull together the threads of this story. The enemies to lovers element added that extra spark to the story and made for snappy dialogue and even more delicious slow burn, than Book 1. There were a number of twists, turns, and surprises and I was hooked before I had even started. The chemistry between the two couples was palpable and the steam level moderate. I loved that the turns of the story erased long held prejudice and offered different interpretations to the prophecy. The novel ended with a teaser for the final book in the trilogy. I for one cannot wait for its’ release. I emphatically recommend this book for readers who enjoy romantasy novels with a quest, enemies to lovers, slow burn, fantasy mystery, prophecy, separated lovers, unleashed power, and found family. The series is similar to A Warrior's Fate by Melissa Kieran (werewolves, magic, adult fantasy romance), A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross (Irish Folklore and atmospheric writing), and the Witch Collector series (witchy, deep world building, Gods, folklore, and found family/team tropes). It can be found in Kindle Unlimited.