What do you think?
Rate this book
Claimed by Darkness
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐭...
The night Nora’s parents were murdered, something ancient and malevolent stirred beneath the waves-and it never let go. No one else felt it. But Nora did... she still does.
The darkness whispers her name, curls through her thoughts, tempts her with release. On the edge of the Mackinac Bridge, Nora is ready to surrender. But fate has other plans.
𝑨 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔. 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔.
Saved by Kairos, a powerful celestial, who claims she’s his fated mate, Nora is thrust into a hidden world of otherworldly beings and ancient prophecy. Her past-wiped away. Her future-bound to a war that began long before she was born.
A century ago, the demon queen Nyx stole everything from Nora. Now she wants her soul. But Nora won’t go down without a fight.
To save the world—and the ones she loves—Nora must unlock the terrible truth of who she is. Even if it means binding herself to a dark king who promises love… and carries deadly secrets.
As Heaven and Hell collide, Nora must choose between the mate who holds her heart and the darkness that calls her name.
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦.
The Book of Azrael meets A Curse This Cruel & Lovely in this stunning romantasy debut full of spice, morally gray characters, mental health rep, and jaw-dropping twists, perfect for fans who delight in the dark side.
The night Nora’s parents were murdered, something ancient and malevolent stirred beneath the waves-and it never let go. No one else felt it. But Nora did... she still does.
The darkness whispers her name, curls through her thoughts, tempts her with release. On the edge of the Mackinac Bridge, Nora is ready to surrender. But fate has other plans.
𝑨 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔. 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔.
Saved by Kairos, a powerful celestial, who claims she’s his fated mate, Nora is thrust into a hidden world of otherworldly beings and ancient prophecy. Her past-wiped away. Her future-bound to a war that began long before she was born.
A century ago, the demon queen Nyx stole everything from Nora. Now she wants her soul. But Nora won’t go down without a fight.
To save the world—and the ones she loves—Nora must unlock the terrible truth of who she is. Even if it means binding herself to a dark king who promises love… and carries deadly secrets.
As Heaven and Hell collide, Nora must choose between the mate who holds her heart and the darkness that calls her name.
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦.
The Book of Azrael meets A Curse This Cruel & Lovely in this stunning romantasy debut full of spice, morally gray characters, mental health rep, and jaw-dropping twists, perfect for fans who delight in the dark side.
358 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2026
About the author
S.R. Hartley
4 books126 followersS.R. Hartley writes dreamy contemporary romance and haunting dark romantasy full of emotion and spice. She lives in a small town in Ohio and works night shift as a registered nurse, using her stories as an escape. She enjoys writing about light vs. darkness to find ways to bring mental health issues to light, and to help readers relate to her words or heal old wounds. Her characters are real, flawed, and a bit damaged, because nothing makes her happier than seeing a lost soul finally get their happily ever after.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
May 6, 2026
Soft DNF at 50%, the story is interesting and I had a good time reading it.. The problem is I picked up another book and one thing led to another, I know what you are thinking.... I am horrible mood reader!! guilty.
~Pre-read~ Guess who just got the ARC??? Yep, I have been ogling this one for a while, I cant wait!!!
~Pre-read~ Guess who just got the ARC??? Yep, I have been ogling this one for a while, I cant wait!!!
March 28, 2026
Thank you to Tantor Audio for the ALC. The beginning was so promising, but ultimately this story reminded me of about 3 or 4 other very popular stories. The world building was extremely lacking. It was to the point that I kept thinking I was missing something, but no, there was no explanation for a lot of things. The FMC gets thrown into the world and doesn’t really question any of it, which made me instantly feel like the author didn’t want to do the tedious work of making it a bit more realistic, instead she just has her accept everything from the get go. I can see a lot of people enjoying this book, but to me, it felt too much like re-reading stories I’ve already read before.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to S.R. Hartley, City Owl Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4.5 / 5 ⭐️ rounded up bc WOW.
HOOOOLY that was a wild ride.
Claimed by Darkness was an intense, spicy, multi-POV and dual timeline read.
I found myself having to stop and cover my mouth from time to time because honestly my jaw was on the floor for a lot of this book!
From the beginning, I was pretty hooked. But as I continued reading on, I just found myself unable to put it down! And when I did put the book down, I basically didn't stop thinking about what would come next.
I feel that Claimed by Darkness is honestly best enjoyed spoiler-free, so if you do plan on reading it I highly recommend going in mostly blind! For me, it made it so much more impactful.
The entire book was so well written and enjoyable! The worldbuilding, the plot, the characters.. My only gripe was some of the spice! But even then, it wasn't bothersome to the point I disliked it.
THAT ENDING THOUGH ugh. I was floored. I cannot wait for the next book. Please, S.R. Hartley, go easy on me because wow that was so intense. Also, I'm totally team Kairos hehe.
♡ pre-read ♡
THE COVER ART ugh I just know this one's gonna be so good.
4.5 / 5 ⭐️ rounded up bc WOW.
HOOOOLY that was a wild ride.
Claimed by Darkness was an intense, spicy, multi-POV and dual timeline read.
I found myself having to stop and cover my mouth from time to time because honestly my jaw was on the floor for a lot of this book!
From the beginning, I was pretty hooked. But as I continued reading on, I just found myself unable to put it down! And when I did put the book down, I basically didn't stop thinking about what would come next.
I feel that Claimed by Darkness is honestly best enjoyed spoiler-free, so if you do plan on reading it I highly recommend going in mostly blind! For me, it made it so much more impactful.
The entire book was so well written and enjoyable! The worldbuilding, the plot, the characters.. My only gripe was some of the spice! But even then, it wasn't bothersome to the point I disliked it.
THAT ENDING THOUGH ugh. I was floored. I cannot wait for the next book. Please, S.R. Hartley, go easy on me because wow that was so intense. Also, I'm totally team Kairos hehe.
♡ pre-read ♡
THE COVER ART ugh I just know this one's gonna be so good.
March 29, 2026
✨🖤 Claimed by Darkness 🖤 ✨
I wanted this to be a 5 star read so badly. This setup is literally my dream. Paranormal, dark fantasy, shadow daddy, celestial versus demons. It had everything I love going in. But a few things held it back for me. Nora, our FMC, really drove me nuts at times. She felt wishy washy while also being stubborn, and way too gullible in situations where I needed her to question things more.
The world itself had so much potential, and I actually liked the magic system, but the way the information was delivered did not work for me. It came in heavy info dumps or long stretches where I felt lost.
I was genuinely confused for the first chunk of the book and kept rewinding thinking I missed something, only for the explanation to come much later. I still think this could turn into a strong series, I just was not fully satisfied with how book one was set up.
The audiobook was also a struggle for me. The female narrator felt very monotone and I could not find a speed that worked. The male narrator was fine, but the overall listening experience wasn't great.
💫 What to Expect
• Celestial x demon conflict
• Fated mates
• Shadow king MMC
• Morally gray characters
• Love triangle
• Hidden magical world
• Prophecy
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3.5 stars
🎧 Audio Score: 2.5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual (Benjamin Walker; Lisa Zimmerman)
📅 Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Thank you to City Owl Press, Tantor Media, and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
I wanted this to be a 5 star read so badly. This setup is literally my dream. Paranormal, dark fantasy, shadow daddy, celestial versus demons. It had everything I love going in. But a few things held it back for me. Nora, our FMC, really drove me nuts at times. She felt wishy washy while also being stubborn, and way too gullible in situations where I needed her to question things more.
The world itself had so much potential, and I actually liked the magic system, but the way the information was delivered did not work for me. It came in heavy info dumps or long stretches where I felt lost.
I was genuinely confused for the first chunk of the book and kept rewinding thinking I missed something, only for the explanation to come much later. I still think this could turn into a strong series, I just was not fully satisfied with how book one was set up.
The audiobook was also a struggle for me. The female narrator felt very monotone and I could not find a speed that worked. The male narrator was fine, but the overall listening experience wasn't great.
💫 What to Expect
• Celestial x demon conflict
• Fated mates
• Shadow king MMC
• Morally gray characters
• Love triangle
• Hidden magical world
• Prophecy
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3.5 stars
🎧 Audio Score: 2.5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual (Benjamin Walker; Lisa Zimmerman)
📅 Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Thank you to City Owl Press, Tantor Media, and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
April 12, 2026
What an ending! This story is very dark and might be triggering to anyone who struggles with depressing or dark thoughts. At times, I found it dragged my spirits down and I was in a mentally good place.
The FMC struggles with Intrusive dark thoughts throughout the story while the MMC tries to keep her save from the demons coming for her.
The story itself is Interesting and different enough from the typical fantasy stories I've read late. You have a past and present storyline taking good place between different couples whos storyline is connected. I loved reading abour Nyx and Hekate in the past while seeing the consequences of their actions play out in the present storyline.
The love triangle was slightly annoying but thats i ly because Erye so was obviously a creep!
I need book 2 immediate because holy cliffhanger much!
The FMC struggles with Intrusive dark thoughts throughout the story while the MMC tries to keep her save from the demons coming for her.
The story itself is Interesting and different enough from the typical fantasy stories I've read late. You have a past and present storyline taking good place between different couples whos storyline is connected. I loved reading abour Nyx and Hekate in the past while seeing the consequences of their actions play out in the present storyline.
The love triangle was slightly annoying but thats i ly because Erye so was obviously a creep!
I need book 2 immediate because holy cliffhanger much!
March 30, 2026
*Listened to Through NetGalley*
I struggled with this book…
One of the biggest issues for me was the lack of content warnings. The audio version doesn’t include any, and neither does the book description. There are several heavy topics introduced, even within the first 25%, including references to suicide and suicidal thoughts, parental death, and the misuse of prescription medication. I’m all for mental health representation in books, but when a story is intentionally going to touch on sensitive material, it should be handled with care. In this case, I didn’t feel that the absence of clear content warnings was appropriate.
Beyond that, I found the story a bit hard to follow. The world isn’t really explained well, and important details are missing, which kept making me feel like I was out of the loop. The FMC is thrown into this new world and pretty much accepts everything right away without much questioning. It ends up feeling rushed, like the focus was more on moving the story forward than actually showing her adjust and make sense of what’s going on.
Her and her sister also don’t really question the magical elements happening around them. For example, she readily accepts a mysterious man claiming they are soulmates from a past life, which felt abrupt given how little context or understanding she has of this world. A stronger sense of hesitation, confusion, or discovery would have made her journey feel more natural, especially since the world is kept very secretive up to that point.
Overall, the story felt like it lacked a solid foundation to fully support itself. I can see how some readers might still enjoy it if they’re less concerned with internal consistency or detailed world-building, but personally, it didn’t work for me.
I struggled with this book…
One of the biggest issues for me was the lack of content warnings. The audio version doesn’t include any, and neither does the book description. There are several heavy topics introduced, even within the first 25%, including references to suicide and suicidal thoughts, parental death, and the misuse of prescription medication. I’m all for mental health representation in books, but when a story is intentionally going to touch on sensitive material, it should be handled with care. In this case, I didn’t feel that the absence of clear content warnings was appropriate.
Beyond that, I found the story a bit hard to follow. The world isn’t really explained well, and important details are missing, which kept making me feel like I was out of the loop. The FMC is thrown into this new world and pretty much accepts everything right away without much questioning. It ends up feeling rushed, like the focus was more on moving the story forward than actually showing her adjust and make sense of what’s going on.
Her and her sister also don’t really question the magical elements happening around them. For example, she readily accepts a mysterious man claiming they are soulmates from a past life, which felt abrupt given how little context or understanding she has of this world. A stronger sense of hesitation, confusion, or discovery would have made her journey feel more natural, especially since the world is kept very secretive up to that point.
Overall, the story felt like it lacked a solid foundation to fully support itself. I can see how some readers might still enjoy it if they’re less concerned with internal consistency or detailed world-building, but personally, it didn’t work for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omg where do I begin? I absolutely loved this book! I was lucky enough to receive it as an arc! It releases 4/7!! 6 ⭐️s!!!!! Its a romantasy novel about a women named Nora who has been reincarnated. She is finding out a year after her parents were killed that she had a past life a past mate and past enemies that are all coming back to haunt her now. She is torn between two men and there is a huge twist at the end!! I didnt see it coming at all! There is also a side story about her friend Hekate and Nyx and I absolutely love them. Definitely read this one! Its awesome!!
February 9, 2026
OMG I’m broken!!… My Heart!!….I NEED THE NEXT ONE!!!
This book will have you shouting at the pages! Sitting at the edge of your seat and holding your breath! You do not see the twists coming. I put this book down and looked around the room ready to shout whaaaat! At someone 😂
PRE ORDER THIS BOOK! And pick a team!
❤️ERE OR KAIROS?💙
WHAT WILL YOU BE?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️AND ITS SPICY🌶️
This book will have you shouting at the pages! Sitting at the edge of your seat and holding your breath! You do not see the twists coming. I put this book down and looked around the room ready to shout whaaaat! At someone 😂
PRE ORDER THIS BOOK! And pick a team!
❤️ERE OR KAIROS?💙
WHAT WILL YOU BE?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️AND ITS SPICY🌶️
April 6, 2026
I had the advanced ALC through NetGalley
Well where do I begin?
This book had me hooked from chapter one. When you discover you’re not human and then you have to make a decision between light and dark? What do you choose? Who do you believe and who is telling the truth?
Lost memories
Fated mates
Fake identities
Some spots in the middle lost me a bit , I personally needed a bit more world building or understanding of the background
Well where do I begin?
This book had me hooked from chapter one. When you discover you’re not human and then you have to make a decision between light and dark? What do you choose? Who do you believe and who is telling the truth?
Lost memories
Fated mates
Fake identities
Some spots in the middle lost me a bit , I personally needed a bit more world building or understanding of the background
February 12, 2026
I had the pleasure of reading Claimed by Darkness by S.R. Hartley as my first ARC read. From the very beginning of the book, it had my attention. It starts with a bang and continues to build up from there. There is love, romance, and tragedy with a dash of world building also. This book emerges you in the world of celestial beings and more. If you are looking for fantasy and romance in the most tasteful way, this is your book. It is definitely a 10 out of 10. All my fantasy/dark romance lovers, this one is for us.
Thank you S.R. Hartley ❤️
February 10, 2026
Claimed by Darkness by S.R Hartley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This ending had me in a chokehold 🤯
Get ready for all the lies, the betrayal & yearning this book was promised!
I can say that I saw a little of myself with Nora’s story - it talks quite a bit about mental health and it was beautifully written 🖤
I also was questioning every characters, who is truly ”good” or ”evil” 😭 I guess we’ll have to wait for the second book!!!
I saw a twist coming, but I really did not expect this outcome 🤯 I’m flabbergasted!
Releasing : April 7, 2026
🖤 fated mates
🖤 multiple POV
🖤 revenge
🖤 sapphic romance
🖤 darkness vs light
“No matter what you go through, I want to be there however you need me to be. I want you to use me. To abuse me however you please. All I want is you.”
THANK YOU for the ARC opportunity, I can’t wait to read the next two books in this trilogy! I need more answers 😭😂🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This ending had me in a chokehold 🤯
Get ready for all the lies, the betrayal & yearning this book was promised!
I can say that I saw a little of myself with Nora’s story - it talks quite a bit about mental health and it was beautifully written 🖤
I also was questioning every characters, who is truly ”good” or ”evil” 😭 I guess we’ll have to wait for the second book!!!
I saw a twist coming, but I really did not expect this outcome 🤯 I’m flabbergasted!
Releasing : April 7, 2026
🖤 fated mates
🖤 multiple POV
🖤 revenge
🖤 sapphic romance
🖤 darkness vs light
“No matter what you go through, I want to be there however you need me to be. I want you to use me. To abuse me however you please. All I want is you.”
THANK YOU for the ARC opportunity, I can’t wait to read the next two books in this trilogy! I need more answers 😭😂🖤
April 14, 2026
It's a quite intriguing story if only the content was more meticulously executed well especially the trigger warnings here. It feels like those sensitive content wasn't really given much care than the book presented it to be.
Other than that, the progress of the story felt so mediocre, especially the transition to thinking of this as hallucinations or reality. It's really not a realistic development.
My biggest issue is definitely the romance here. I'm all for fated mates, but the developments here were just so cringe and way too insta lust.
The plot is interesting and has so much potential, but the way it played out was just so superficial. I could hardly go past it if I'm being honest. There's not really parts that I liked so far, especially the characters here that's so badly written to me.
Thank you, Tantor Media, for the audio. 1⭐️
Other than that, the progress of the story felt so mediocre, especially the transition to thinking of this as hallucinations or reality. It's really not a realistic development.
My biggest issue is definitely the romance here. I'm all for fated mates, but the developments here were just so cringe and way too insta lust.
The plot is interesting and has so much potential, but the way it played out was just so superficial. I could hardly go past it if I'm being honest. There's not really parts that I liked so far, especially the characters here that's so badly written to me.
Thank you, Tantor Media, for the audio. 1⭐️
February 6, 2026
4.5⭐️
ARC Read!
Thank you so much S.R. Hartley for this ARC!
Wow.. just WOW. The storyline, the writing… BEAUITFUL! This story gave everything that it promised- the YEARNING, the betrayal, the LIES. My mind is flabbergasted because the twists and turns in this book had my jaw hanging, some things I saw coming but others were a complete curve ball and I was like oh my gawddd! The mental health in this story was not only beautifully written but very well represented, and at times I saw myself in Nora. Darkness can be beautiful too! This book was amazing in every way. 2 chili peppers, because it was more plot than spice, which was VERY refreshing! This is my 2nd book by S.R. Hartley and she just has this way with her words of locking you in right from the beginning. She is going to be a BIG player in the game, I can feel it!
Ps. That ending took me out 🫠😂
Honestly, before reading this I was team Red-Erebus all the way, but now I am unwell and I may now be team Blue- Kairos because whatttttt do you mean @%%^*}€£¥¥ !@*#]^%^*** $>?^]^*|£*{+%# happened?!
Again, I absolutely loved this but now I will be staring at a wall because what do you mean that’s how it ends 😭
ARC Read!
Thank you so much S.R. Hartley for this ARC!
Wow.. just WOW. The storyline, the writing… BEAUITFUL! This story gave everything that it promised- the YEARNING, the betrayal, the LIES. My mind is flabbergasted because the twists and turns in this book had my jaw hanging, some things I saw coming but others were a complete curve ball and I was like oh my gawddd! The mental health in this story was not only beautifully written but very well represented, and at times I saw myself in Nora. Darkness can be beautiful too! This book was amazing in every way. 2 chili peppers, because it was more plot than spice, which was VERY refreshing! This is my 2nd book by S.R. Hartley and she just has this way with her words of locking you in right from the beginning. She is going to be a BIG player in the game, I can feel it!
Ps. That ending took me out 🫠😂
Honestly, before reading this I was team Red-Erebus all the way, but now I am unwell and I may now be team Blue- Kairos because whatttttt do you mean @%%^*}€£¥¥ !@*#]^%^*** $>?^]^*|£*{+%# happened?!
Again, I absolutely loved this but now I will be staring at a wall because what do you mean that’s how it ends 😭
May 13, 2026
➡️ Follow This Link For My Bookstagram!
3.5 ✨
🫶🏽 Vibes:
fated mates ✨
who is the real mate?? 👀💔
morally gray celestial MMC 😈
ancient prophecy 📜
demon queen villain energy 🖤👑
reincarnation / past life mystery 🔄
trauma & mental health rep 🫶
found power / discovering who she is ⚡
secrets, lies, and betrayal 👀
plot twists you didn’t see coming 👀
not everything is what it seems 😏
✍🏽 My Review:
Girlies, this one started off so strong for me. Clearly because I finished it in two days. 🤭🫠
Nora loses her parents, and from that moment there’s this darkness that literally won’t leave her alone… like it’s whispering to her, pulling at her. There is mental health rep here, and just a heads up there is an attempt early on. That whole opening felt really heavy, but also real, and it hooked me right away.
Then we get to the bridge scene and everything changes.
She’s saved by Kairo (obsessed, btw), who says she’s his fated mate, and suddenly she’s thrown into this whole hidden world with celestials, demons, prophecy, all of it. This is where the story really opens up and I was like okayyyy I’m in.
But I really wish we got more of Kairo. Like the potential??? insane. I wanted more background, more tension, more buildup between him and Nora because it felt like it could’ve been so good.
And then there’s Ere… listen. it was a spicy fun time 👀
but it happened way too fast for me.
I didn’t feel the connection before things escalated, and it just made it feel a little rushed. BUT I will say… the way that situation plays out later??? actually kind of wild and lowkey sets up book 2 to be something really good.
Also the whole fated mates situation gets messy because now we’ve got two people claiming her… and not everything is what it seems. I liked the idea of that, I just wish it had more time to develop.
That’s honestly my main issue with the book.
The story itself?? so interesting. You’ve got ancient prophecy, demon queen Nyx, reincarnation, this huge war between Heaven and Hell… and Nora is right in the middle of it. But the book just felt too short for everything it was trying to do.
I kept wanting more world building, more lore, more explanation. And especially with Nora, when she finds out who she is and how powerful she is… she just kind of accepts it?? really fast?? and I was like wait… where are the questions 😭 I wanted more discovery there. More pushback. More emotion. THAT moment should’ve hit way harder.
BUT overall, I do think it’s worth reading.
The idea is there. The setup is there. And that ending definitely feels like it’s leading into something bigger.
I’m just really hoping book 2 slows down a little and gives us:
…more depth
…more buildup
…and more time with these characters
If it does… this series could actually be so good.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and City Owl Press for the arc!
3.5 ✨
🫶🏽 Vibes:
fated mates ✨
who is the real mate?? 👀💔
morally gray celestial MMC 😈
ancient prophecy 📜
demon queen villain energy 🖤👑
reincarnation / past life mystery 🔄
trauma & mental health rep 🫶
found power / discovering who she is ⚡
secrets, lies, and betrayal 👀
plot twists you didn’t see coming 👀
not everything is what it seems 😏
✍🏽 My Review:
Girlies, this one started off so strong for me. Clearly because I finished it in two days. 🤭🫠
Nora loses her parents, and from that moment there’s this darkness that literally won’t leave her alone… like it’s whispering to her, pulling at her. There is mental health rep here, and just a heads up there is an attempt early on. That whole opening felt really heavy, but also real, and it hooked me right away.
Then we get to the bridge scene and everything changes.
She’s saved by Kairo (obsessed, btw), who says she’s his fated mate, and suddenly she’s thrown into this whole hidden world with celestials, demons, prophecy, all of it. This is where the story really opens up and I was like okayyyy I’m in.
But I really wish we got more of Kairo. Like the potential??? insane. I wanted more background, more tension, more buildup between him and Nora because it felt like it could’ve been so good.
And then there’s Ere… listen. it was a spicy fun time 👀
but it happened way too fast for me.
I didn’t feel the connection before things escalated, and it just made it feel a little rushed. BUT I will say… the way that situation plays out later??? actually kind of wild and lowkey sets up book 2 to be something really good.
Also the whole fated mates situation gets messy because now we’ve got two people claiming her… and not everything is what it seems. I liked the idea of that, I just wish it had more time to develop.
That’s honestly my main issue with the book.
The story itself?? so interesting. You’ve got ancient prophecy, demon queen Nyx, reincarnation, this huge war between Heaven and Hell… and Nora is right in the middle of it. But the book just felt too short for everything it was trying to do.
I kept wanting more world building, more lore, more explanation. And especially with Nora, when she finds out who she is and how powerful she is… she just kind of accepts it?? really fast?? and I was like wait… where are the questions 😭 I wanted more discovery there. More pushback. More emotion. THAT moment should’ve hit way harder.
BUT overall, I do think it’s worth reading.
The idea is there. The setup is there. And that ending definitely feels like it’s leading into something bigger.
I’m just really hoping book 2 slows down a little and gives us:
…more depth
…more buildup
…and more time with these characters
If it does… this series could actually be so good.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and City Owl Press for the arc!
April 18, 2026
thank you so much to MTMC tours for the early copy! all opinions are my own!
gotta be honest, i signed up for the tour because of the cover. it was supposed to be a joke. i didn't expect to enjoy it as much as i did.
the beggining was very solid and so well written. trigger warning for suicidal thoughts and depression, because it hits you right in and all you wanna do is hug Nora so tightly. then the action starts and it kinda slows down for a bit. the MC was trusting way too much on everything she was being told, and i would've started panicking if that whole package of information had been droped like a bomb. i really enjoyed the third POV, it added so much to the story, a way of understanding the villain and having a side relationship that i was rooting for from the start. then the last 30% flew by because i couldn't believe what i was reading, the AUDACITY of the author of making me and the MC doubt absolutely everything. and the ending... suffice to say i'm BEGGING for book two to be released now because wtffffff, how dare sheee
don't let yourself be fooled by the cover. it is a paranormal fantasy with a bit of spice but not much, pick it up if you can!!
gotta be honest, i signed up for the tour because of the cover. it was supposed to be a joke. i didn't expect to enjoy it as much as i did.
the beggining was very solid and so well written. trigger warning for suicidal thoughts and depression, because it hits you right in and all you wanna do is hug Nora so tightly. then the action starts and it kinda slows down for a bit. the MC was trusting way too much on everything she was being told, and i would've started panicking if that whole package of information had been droped like a bomb. i really enjoyed the third POV, it added so much to the story, a way of understanding the villain and having a side relationship that i was rooting for from the start. then the last 30% flew by because i couldn't believe what i was reading, the AUDACITY of the author of making me and the MC doubt absolutely everything. and the ending... suffice to say i'm BEGGING for book two to be released now because wtffffff, how dare sheee
don't let yourself be fooled by the cover. it is a paranormal fantasy with a bit of spice but not much, pick it up if you can!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
My brain is still reeling after that ending. Honestly, screw you, Erebus. 💔 We get fated mates, lost memories, hidden identities, lots of spice, 3 POV'S. Nyx is my favorite, and I loved the snippets we got from her POV. Hekate & Nyx love story triumphed over Noras for me. It was powerful to see a "villain" battling darkness.
I felt the pacing was a little jagged for me, in addition to one of the relationships was hard to believe but, again, my own personal opinion.
I felt the pacing was a little jagged for me, in addition to one of the relationships was hard to believe but, again, my own personal opinion.
April 7, 2026
ARC Review
I realllllllly wanted this to be a 5 star read but the story fell a bit flat to me.
I think the FMC just accepted whatever was in front of her far too easily. Like let’s maybe question our situation before just accepting fate. Pun intended.
I personally didn’t like either of the MMCs so the ending wasn’t shocking to me. You could also see it coming from a mile away. There was only one tidbit that I didn’t see coming.
I think this series has potential and I still am interested to see where it goes!
I realllllllly wanted this to be a 5 star read but the story fell a bit flat to me.
I think the FMC just accepted whatever was in front of her far too easily. Like let’s maybe question our situation before just accepting fate. Pun intended.
I personally didn’t like either of the MMCs so the ending wasn’t shocking to me. You could also see it coming from a mile away. There was only one tidbit that I didn’t see coming.
I think this series has potential and I still am interested to see where it goes!
February 5, 2026
ARC Review
Claimed by Darkness by @s.r.hartley.author
Thank you for allowing me to read this beauty!
5/5 ⭐️
With some 🌶️
Available April 7,2026 Preorder now 🖤
Trying not to spoil because you need to read this!
This book was amazing. It kept me on my toes the whole time. The raw emotions throughout it made me cry for these characters. So many POV you actually feel like you’re getting to know them personally. Nora feels so alone and broken. She can’t find the light and slowly accepting darkness. Her feels are so real I feel for her cause I understand being in the dark. Her sister and best friend are always there for her. Her boyfriend loves her even if she is accepting the darkness within. Things turn with a wonderful beautiful being Kairos comes to her claiming she’s his fated mate and wants to save her from the darkness. Will Nora accept him or stay with her boyfriend? It does end on a cliffhanger and I just can’t wait to see where it goes.
Also team Kairos 💙 my new book boyfriend.
Claimed by Darkness by @s.r.hartley.author
Thank you for allowing me to read this beauty!
5/5 ⭐️
With some 🌶️
Available April 7,2026 Preorder now 🖤
Trying not to spoil because you need to read this!
This book was amazing. It kept me on my toes the whole time. The raw emotions throughout it made me cry for these characters. So many POV you actually feel like you’re getting to know them personally. Nora feels so alone and broken. She can’t find the light and slowly accepting darkness. Her feels are so real I feel for her cause I understand being in the dark. Her sister and best friend are always there for her. Her boyfriend loves her even if she is accepting the darkness within. Things turn with a wonderful beautiful being Kairos comes to her claiming she’s his fated mate and wants to save her from the darkness. Will Nora accept him or stay with her boyfriend? It does end on a cliffhanger and I just can’t wait to see where it goes.
Also team Kairos 💙 my new book boyfriend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Claimed By Darkness - S R Hartley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Publication Date: 7 April 2026
I have officially been Claimed by this book. I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC read from the author and what a book to start February with!
When Nora's parents were murdered, an ancient and malevolent force stirred, grapsing Nora and never letting her go. As the darkness whispers her name, and winds its tendrils through her thoughts, Nora is ready to surrender and find release and peace at last...but fate intervenes, saved by Kairos, and thrust into a world she has no memory of, Nora must unlock the truth of who she is or lose all those she loves and Nora is left with an impossible choice...her fated mate or the darkness that calls her name.
This book was OUTSTANDING, its a MASTERPIECE. Everything about this book is just perfection. The plot, the characters and the world building, I was captivated from the prologue and even now I've finished this book still holds my heart and soul in its grip.
The characters in this are so well written and so well developed. Nora (FMC), is a marvel. I felt every ounce of her grief, her pain, the way the darkness calls to her and wrapped around her. I felt like I was right beside her on that bridge, feeling the pull of the abyss and the promise of release. I've been Nora and seeing her strength and how she fights everyday, even when the darkness calls to her, and promises safety and that feeling of freedom and being at home in the dark truly stuck with me. Both Kairos and Erebus (MMCs) are excellent representations of the sides of Nora. Kairos representing the light and Erebus representing the dark. Both claim to be her fated mate, leaving her with the reality that one of them is lying and knowing that she loves both of them, whatever her path will bring pain. While I was Team Kai-bus 💜 during the promo, I let myself be claimed by Kairos 💙 at the last moment, and now I've read the book I'm still Team Kairos 🪽⚔️💙 but the spice with Erebus ❤️ is 👌🔥.
Even our villain Nyx ruined me. I was expecting someone inherently evil, but the truth is much more tragic and really showed just how darkness can consume a soul.
The mental health rep in this is strong and does not shy away from the heavy themes of depression and suicide. So please bear this in mind when reading.
The world building is beautiful, its vividly explained and brought the story to life. I'm usually a skim reader when it comes to world building, because as someone with aphantasia I can't picture what's being described, so world description/character description is lost on me, but this was done well so I understand the worlds.
And when I tell you the twists in this...HOLY. HELL. I'm still reeling from the plot twist in this. The cliffhanger this ended on has left me desperate for the next book. Darkness Guide Me, Gods Save Me while I wait for Book 2 🪽⚔️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Publication Date: 7 April 2026
I have officially been Claimed by this book. I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC read from the author and what a book to start February with!
When Nora's parents were murdered, an ancient and malevolent force stirred, grapsing Nora and never letting her go. As the darkness whispers her name, and winds its tendrils through her thoughts, Nora is ready to surrender and find release and peace at last...but fate intervenes, saved by Kairos, and thrust into a world she has no memory of, Nora must unlock the truth of who she is or lose all those she loves and Nora is left with an impossible choice...her fated mate or the darkness that calls her name.
This book was OUTSTANDING, its a MASTERPIECE. Everything about this book is just perfection. The plot, the characters and the world building, I was captivated from the prologue and even now I've finished this book still holds my heart and soul in its grip.
The characters in this are so well written and so well developed. Nora (FMC), is a marvel. I felt every ounce of her grief, her pain, the way the darkness calls to her and wrapped around her. I felt like I was right beside her on that bridge, feeling the pull of the abyss and the promise of release. I've been Nora and seeing her strength and how she fights everyday, even when the darkness calls to her, and promises safety and that feeling of freedom and being at home in the dark truly stuck with me. Both Kairos and Erebus (MMCs) are excellent representations of the sides of Nora. Kairos representing the light and Erebus representing the dark. Both claim to be her fated mate, leaving her with the reality that one of them is lying and knowing that she loves both of them, whatever her path will bring pain. While I was Team Kai-bus 💜 during the promo, I let myself be claimed by Kairos 💙 at the last moment, and now I've read the book I'm still Team Kairos 🪽⚔️💙 but the spice with Erebus ❤️ is 👌🔥.
Even our villain Nyx ruined me. I was expecting someone inherently evil, but the truth is much more tragic and really showed just how darkness can consume a soul.
The mental health rep in this is strong and does not shy away from the heavy themes of depression and suicide. So please bear this in mind when reading.
The world building is beautiful, its vividly explained and brought the story to life. I'm usually a skim reader when it comes to world building, because as someone with aphantasia I can't picture what's being described, so world description/character description is lost on me, but this was done well so I understand the worlds.
And when I tell you the twists in this...HOLY. HELL. I'm still reeling from the plot twist in this. The cliffhanger this ended on has left me desperate for the next book. Darkness Guide Me, Gods Save Me while I wait for Book 2 🪽⚔️
February 13, 2026
This has such a unique story but I just could not get invested in it. I feel like there was barely any world building. So much is not explained. I get that this story deals with memory loss, but things were unexplained to the point that I often had no idea what was going on. And I feel that this story is “tell don’t show”. So many choices were made by the characters without any build up. And the world building we did get felt so abrupt like it was just thrown in there.
The characters were so interesting. Nyx especially, that I just wish this had more of a foundation for them to work off of.
The characters were so interesting. Nyx especially, that I just wish this had more of a foundation for them to work off of.
April 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC.
Let me start by saying this premise had so much potential. Celestials vs. demons, an eternal light vs. dark war, reincarnation, and fated mates- honestly, that’s usually a guaranteed win for me.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t land.
The romance felt rushed to the point of being unbelievable. It leaned heavily into insta-love with little emotional buildup or internal conflict. The FMC starts off deeply depressed and withdrawn, but then almost immediately accepts a stranger telling her they’re mates and just “knows it in her soul.” There’s no real questioning, no tension. And when someone else challenges that claim, she suddenly believes them just as easily because it’s “written in the stars.” At that point, it felt like anyone could have told her they were her mate and she would’ve gone along with it.
The world-building also fell short. I found myself confused throughout not because I wasn’t paying attention (I actually rewound multiple times), but because key elements just weren’t clearly explained or fully developed. The ideas were there, but the execution felt lacking.
The story uses dual timelines and multiple POVs, which usually fills in a lot of blanks, but here the pacing didn’t align well. Information felt either rushed or poorly placed, making it harder to stay engaged.
The ending does include a plot twist, but by that point I was more exhausted than intrigued.
Overall, this story needed a stronger foundation, better pacing, and deeper emotional connection. I wanted to love it but it just didn’t come together for me.
Let me start by saying this premise had so much potential. Celestials vs. demons, an eternal light vs. dark war, reincarnation, and fated mates- honestly, that’s usually a guaranteed win for me.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t land.
The romance felt rushed to the point of being unbelievable. It leaned heavily into insta-love with little emotional buildup or internal conflict. The FMC starts off deeply depressed and withdrawn, but then almost immediately accepts a stranger telling her they’re mates and just “knows it in her soul.” There’s no real questioning, no tension. And when someone else challenges that claim, she suddenly believes them just as easily because it’s “written in the stars.” At that point, it felt like anyone could have told her they were her mate and she would’ve gone along with it.
The world-building also fell short. I found myself confused throughout not because I wasn’t paying attention (I actually rewound multiple times), but because key elements just weren’t clearly explained or fully developed. The ideas were there, but the execution felt lacking.
The story uses dual timelines and multiple POVs, which usually fills in a lot of blanks, but here the pacing didn’t align well. Information felt either rushed or poorly placed, making it harder to stay engaged.
The ending does include a plot twist, but by that point I was more exhausted than intrigued.
Overall, this story needed a stronger foundation, better pacing, and deeper emotional connection. I wanted to love it but it just didn’t come together for me.
May 9, 2026
What a ride!! I am such a massive fan of angels and demons and Claimed by Darkness is such an interesting twist on the fight between good and evil. It’s actually a retelling of Greek mythology, featuring many of the Gods, such as Nyx, Erebus, Hemera, and Hecate.
The plot twist game in this story is STRONG! As soon as I was guessing what was going on, something new was revealed. There are so many hidden identities and pieces of a larger puzzle are slowly drip fed.
The story is dual POV between Nora and Kairos. Kairos is a celestial who believes that human Nora is his fated mate. But Nora has fallen in love with Ere, another human.
What Hartley did so well was create this love triangle that was like emotional whiplash. You won’t know whose team you want to be on because both men have qualities that will make you fall for them. Kairos has all the trauma and is protective and sweet, making Nora feel happiness and light for the first time since her parents were murdered. Ere is morally grey, possessive and has a darkness that speaks to Nora.
Lisa Zimmermann and Benjamin D Walker delivered an amazing dual narrative performance. I loved Benjamin bringing to life the depth of Kairos’ feelings for Nora and the pain he felt at watching her with Ere. Lisa made Nora’s struggles with depression relatable. I really enjoyed the way Lisa conveyed Nora’s feelings for both males and the way she was so torn between both!
Listening to the audiobook was such a treat and I think it really enhanced this character driven book. The betrayals cut deep and you are left guessing until the last moment about Nora’s choices.
I loved the side character sapphic romance between Nyx and Hecate. This was so well done and I enjoyed how even when Nyx was consumed by darkness, Hecate held strong to their love.
The cliffhanger is absolutely brutal. The whole story was unique, dark and gripping and had me hooked. I will definitely continue this series and highly recommend the audiobook.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the review copy of the audiobook.
The plot twist game in this story is STRONG! As soon as I was guessing what was going on, something new was revealed. There are so many hidden identities and pieces of a larger puzzle are slowly drip fed.
The story is dual POV between Nora and Kairos. Kairos is a celestial who believes that human Nora is his fated mate. But Nora has fallen in love with Ere, another human.
What Hartley did so well was create this love triangle that was like emotional whiplash. You won’t know whose team you want to be on because both men have qualities that will make you fall for them. Kairos has all the trauma and is protective and sweet, making Nora feel happiness and light for the first time since her parents were murdered. Ere is morally grey, possessive and has a darkness that speaks to Nora.
Lisa Zimmermann and Benjamin D Walker delivered an amazing dual narrative performance. I loved Benjamin bringing to life the depth of Kairos’ feelings for Nora and the pain he felt at watching her with Ere. Lisa made Nora’s struggles with depression relatable. I really enjoyed the way Lisa conveyed Nora’s feelings for both males and the way she was so torn between both!
Listening to the audiobook was such a treat and I think it really enhanced this character driven book. The betrayals cut deep and you are left guessing until the last moment about Nora’s choices.
I loved the side character sapphic romance between Nyx and Hecate. This was so well done and I enjoyed how even when Nyx was consumed by darkness, Hecate held strong to their love.
The cliffhanger is absolutely brutal. The whole story was unique, dark and gripping and had me hooked. I will definitely continue this series and highly recommend the audiobook.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the review copy of the audiobook.
April 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the opportunity to read Claimed by Darkness by S. R. Hartley, Narrated by Benjamin Walker and Lisa Zimmerman, in exchange for my honest review.
This was a tough listen for me, and unfortunately, not in a good way. Right from the start, a major trigger caught me completely off guard and set the tone for the rest of the book—I never fully recovered from it. While I value stories that explore mental health, this one didn’t feel like it prepared listeners for the intensity of those early chapters. The heavy focus on suicidal ideation, along with scenes involving deception of medical professionals and misuse of prescription medication, left me feeling deeply uncomfortable and ultimately disconnected. For an audiobook especially, clearer trigger warnings would have made a big difference.
Outside of that, I still found myself struggling with the story overall.
The world-building didn’t fully pull me in, and I constantly felt like I was missing something. There was this lingering sense of confusion. I needed just a bit more context to understand the “what,” “why,” and “how” of the world, but it never quite came together.
I also had a hard time connecting with the FMC. I struggled to understand her lack of questioning when things didn’t add up, which made her reactions feel less believable. Her characterization leans heavily into hopelessness, and while that can add emotional depth, it didn’t feel fully developed, leaving me feeling uninvested in her journey.
The multiple POVs added another layer of difficulty, especially in audio format. The voices blended together, making it hard at times to distinguish between characters or follow what was happening.
I also didn’t find myself drawn to either of the MMCs, which made the romantic elements fall flat for me.
Around the midpoint, my interest really started to dip. I think I went in expecting something more fast-paced, but it felt slower and harder to stay engaged. There were also quite a few plot holes, moments where a bit more explanation would have made a big difference. Even with the twists at the end, I didn’t feel like they fully answered the questions the story had built up.
There were glimpses of potential, and the ending twists were enough to make finishing it feel somewhat worthwhile. But overall, it just didn’t come together in a way that worked for me.
I won’t be continuing the series.
This was a tough listen for me, and unfortunately, not in a good way. Right from the start, a major trigger caught me completely off guard and set the tone for the rest of the book—I never fully recovered from it. While I value stories that explore mental health, this one didn’t feel like it prepared listeners for the intensity of those early chapters. The heavy focus on suicidal ideation, along with scenes involving deception of medical professionals and misuse of prescription medication, left me feeling deeply uncomfortable and ultimately disconnected. For an audiobook especially, clearer trigger warnings would have made a big difference.
Outside of that, I still found myself struggling with the story overall.
The world-building didn’t fully pull me in, and I constantly felt like I was missing something. There was this lingering sense of confusion. I needed just a bit more context to understand the “what,” “why,” and “how” of the world, but it never quite came together.
I also had a hard time connecting with the FMC. I struggled to understand her lack of questioning when things didn’t add up, which made her reactions feel less believable. Her characterization leans heavily into hopelessness, and while that can add emotional depth, it didn’t feel fully developed, leaving me feeling uninvested in her journey.
The multiple POVs added another layer of difficulty, especially in audio format. The voices blended together, making it hard at times to distinguish between characters or follow what was happening.
I also didn’t find myself drawn to either of the MMCs, which made the romantic elements fall flat for me.
Around the midpoint, my interest really started to dip. I think I went in expecting something more fast-paced, but it felt slower and harder to stay engaged. There were also quite a few plot holes, moments where a bit more explanation would have made a big difference. Even with the twists at the end, I didn’t feel like they fully answered the questions the story had built up.
There were glimpses of potential, and the ending twists were enough to make finishing it feel somewhat worthwhile. But overall, it just didn’t come together in a way that worked for me.
I won’t be continuing the series.
March 21, 2026
The Shadows Are Calling... 🌑✨
I just finished my ARC read of Claimed by Darkness by S.R. Hartley, and I am still completely submerged in the atmosphere of this world. There is something so hauntingly beautiful about a story that isn’t afraid to lean into the grit and the gloom. The writing is chefs kiss. It creates this visceral sense of tension that feels like a cold fog rolling in—you know something is lurking just out of sight, but you can’t look away.
The Story:
Ever since the night her parents were murdered, Nora has felt something ancient and malevolent calling to her from the shadows. Just as she’s ready to surrender to the darkness, she’s “saved” by Kairos—a powerful, winged celestial with burning green eyes who claims she is his fated mate.
Nora is thrust into a hidden world of ancient prophecies and an impending war between Heaven and Hell. To survive the demon queen Nyx and the coming God of Shadows, Nora must unlock the truth of her own past—even if it means binding herself to a dark king with deadly secrets.
I’m still reeling from that world-building and trying to process that ending. I need more!! If you’re looking for a story that wraps you in a dark embrace and leaves you questioning everything, this is the one. For now, I’ll be over here in my favorite reading nook, staring at a wall and trying to recover.🥀📖
4/5 black celestial wings.
I just finished my ARC read of Claimed by Darkness by S.R. Hartley, and I am still completely submerged in the atmosphere of this world. There is something so hauntingly beautiful about a story that isn’t afraid to lean into the grit and the gloom. The writing is chefs kiss. It creates this visceral sense of tension that feels like a cold fog rolling in—you know something is lurking just out of sight, but you can’t look away.
The Story:
Ever since the night her parents were murdered, Nora has felt something ancient and malevolent calling to her from the shadows. Just as she’s ready to surrender to the darkness, she’s “saved” by Kairos—a powerful, winged celestial with burning green eyes who claims she is his fated mate.
Nora is thrust into a hidden world of ancient prophecies and an impending war between Heaven and Hell. To survive the demon queen Nyx and the coming God of Shadows, Nora must unlock the truth of her own past—even if it means binding herself to a dark king with deadly secrets.
I’m still reeling from that world-building and trying to process that ending. I need more!! If you’re looking for a story that wraps you in a dark embrace and leaves you questioning everything, this is the one. For now, I’ll be over here in my favorite reading nook, staring at a wall and trying to recover.🥀📖
4/5 black celestial wings.
April 2, 2026
I loved this book from the start,
I was fortunate enough to the receive the audio and oh my goodness does it somehow make the book even better! The book is good on its own but the audio is freaking amazing and for me elevated my whole reading experience! The emotion portrayed in the narrators voice is amazing! I love when narrators feel their characters!
The world building is easy and I loved how depression was portrayed in this book.
Once I started this book I couldn’t put it down! The lies!? The betrayal!? That ending!?
I’m solidly on team both 👀
I want a MMC who would burn the world down for me but also who yearns for me and loves every little thing about me! That would wait a lifetime and more to be with me ❤️💙
Favourite quotes
“Your mind tried to break you, you fought hard, and you won. You’re a warrior.”
‘I want to throw my book at him. I would if it weren’t a special edition’
“Every second without you has felt like an eternity. I will set this whole goddamn world on fire and watch it all burn if that is what it takes to get your memories back.”
‘Love is a curse. Fate is a blatant, fucking lie’
I was fortunate enough to the receive the audio and oh my goodness does it somehow make the book even better! The book is good on its own but the audio is freaking amazing and for me elevated my whole reading experience! The emotion portrayed in the narrators voice is amazing! I love when narrators feel their characters!
The world building is easy and I loved how depression was portrayed in this book.
Once I started this book I couldn’t put it down! The lies!? The betrayal!? That ending!?
I’m solidly on team both 👀
I want a MMC who would burn the world down for me but also who yearns for me and loves every little thing about me! That would wait a lifetime and more to be with me ❤️💙
Favourite quotes
“Your mind tried to break you, you fought hard, and you won. You’re a warrior.”
‘I want to throw my book at him. I would if it weren’t a special edition’
“Every second without you has felt like an eternity. I will set this whole goddamn world on fire and watch it all burn if that is what it takes to get your memories back.”
‘Love is a curse. Fate is a blatant, fucking lie’
April 7, 2026
First, let me begin by thanking S.R. Hartley for this amazing book! I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of your ARC team!
This book claimed me and it now owns me! This book was like nothing I've ever read. You have Dual POV and Dual Timelines. I found this very unique. I won't give anything away about the characters past what you would be able to find in the blurb because I believe this book needs to be read without any spoilers or hints. I absolutely love how the author wrote these characters and the fact that she wrote a villain I came to love is just phenomenal. It isn't often an author can sway me away from disliking a villain but she did! Nora is drowning in grief after her parents are murdered. When she is ready to succumb to the darkness fate steps in with another plan. That's when we meet Kairos, Erebus, and Nyx. Heaven and Hell collides and Nora has to choose her fated mate, but will she choose correctly?
This book will make you feel a wide range of emotions. You will laugh, cry, scream, and swoon. If you are ready to be claimed by this book like me, definitely grab your copy today!
This book claimed me and it now owns me! This book was like nothing I've ever read. You have Dual POV and Dual Timelines. I found this very unique. I won't give anything away about the characters past what you would be able to find in the blurb because I believe this book needs to be read without any spoilers or hints. I absolutely love how the author wrote these characters and the fact that she wrote a villain I came to love is just phenomenal. It isn't often an author can sway me away from disliking a villain but she did! Nora is drowning in grief after her parents are murdered. When she is ready to succumb to the darkness fate steps in with another plan. That's when we meet Kairos, Erebus, and Nyx. Heaven and Hell collides and Nora has to choose her fated mate, but will she choose correctly?
This book will make you feel a wide range of emotions. You will laugh, cry, scream, and swoon. If you are ready to be claimed by this book like me, definitely grab your copy today!
April 13, 2026
Rating: 3.5 / 5 ⭐ | Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I wanted to love this one so much, but it didn't quite hit the 5-star mark for me. While the premise has tons of potential, a few things felt off:
• The FMC: Her arc felt a bit stagnant. She spent a lot of time in a slump without finding real closure, and both she and her sister accepted the new magical world of celestials and demons way too quickly for my liking.
• Pacing & Logic: The world-building felt rushed. There were several "info gaps" where the FMC suddenly had answers she shouldn’t have known (especially with the lost memories trope), which made the logic hard to follow.
• The MMCs: Love the Light vs. Dark dynamic! One MMC was a bit too obsessed too fast, but I’m actually a big fan of the other even though I may be in the minority and the twists were somewhat predictable.
MVP: Nyx! We definitely needed more of her.
Final Thoughts: A bit of a mixed bag, but the series definitely has potential. If you’re into fated mates, hidden identities, and celestial wars, give it a go!
I wanted to love this one so much, but it didn't quite hit the 5-star mark for me. While the premise has tons of potential, a few things felt off:
• The FMC: Her arc felt a bit stagnant. She spent a lot of time in a slump without finding real closure, and both she and her sister accepted the new magical world of celestials and demons way too quickly for my liking.
• Pacing & Logic: The world-building felt rushed. There were several "info gaps" where the FMC suddenly had answers she shouldn’t have known (especially with the lost memories trope), which made the logic hard to follow.
• The MMCs: Love the Light vs. Dark dynamic! One MMC was a bit too obsessed too fast, but I’m actually a big fan of the other even though I may be in the minority and the twists were somewhat predictable.
MVP: Nyx! We definitely needed more of her.
Final Thoughts: A bit of a mixed bag, but the series definitely has potential. If you’re into fated mates, hidden identities, and celestial wars, give it a go!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Claimed By Darkness delivers a solid dark romantasy premise with celestial stakes and fated mates tension, but lands at 3 stars for me overall. Nora’s parents were murdered the night something ancient stirred beneath the waves, leaving her haunted by darkness calling her name. Rescued on the Mackinac Bridge by powerful celestial Kairos—who claims her as his fated mate—she’s thrust into a celestial/demonic war where demon queen Nyx wants her soul and a shadowy god hungers for more.
The internal struggle between darkness and light, Kairos’ restrained yearning, and Nora’s grief-to-power journey created strong atmosphere and trope appeal. However, uneven pacing with a slow early setup, heavy exposition interrupting emotional beats, underdeveloped romance, and predictable moments kept it from clicking fully for me.
3 stars—promising dark fantasy romance with worldbuilding potential. Thank you S.R. Hartley for the ARC! Curious for book 2.
The internal struggle between darkness and light, Kairos’ restrained yearning, and Nora’s grief-to-power journey created strong atmosphere and trope appeal. However, uneven pacing with a slow early setup, heavy exposition interrupting emotional beats, underdeveloped romance, and predictable moments kept it from clicking fully for me.
3 stars—promising dark fantasy romance with worldbuilding potential. Thank you S.R. Hartley for the ARC! Curious for book 2.
April 16, 2026
I wanted to love this book... but I struggled with it. I recieved it as an ARC through Netgalley, and I really appreciate the opportunity to read it and give an honest review.
One of my biggest issues was the lack of clear trigger warnings. This book includes heavy topics like multiple suicide attempts, parental death, and misuse of prescription medication, which are obviously all things that can be deeply distressing and absolutely should be flagged for readers going in. I love mental health rep in books, but please be clear about what is included.
Beyond that, I had a hard time connecting with the FMC. She came across as insufferable at times, and a lot of her reactions felt unrealistic, which made it difficult to stay immersed in the story.
The world-building also felt very underdeveloped. There was so much potential in the premise, but it never fully came together, leaving the setting feeling vague and lacking depth.
Overall, this one just didn’t work for me, though readers who are less sensitive to these elements or prefer lighter world-building might have a different experience.
One of my biggest issues was the lack of clear trigger warnings. This book includes heavy topics like multiple suicide attempts, parental death, and misuse of prescription medication, which are obviously all things that can be deeply distressing and absolutely should be flagged for readers going in. I love mental health rep in books, but please be clear about what is included.
Beyond that, I had a hard time connecting with the FMC. She came across as insufferable at times, and a lot of her reactions felt unrealistic, which made it difficult to stay immersed in the story.
The world-building also felt very underdeveloped. There was so much potential in the premise, but it never fully came together, leaving the setting feeling vague and lacking depth.
Overall, this one just didn’t work for me, though readers who are less sensitive to these elements or prefer lighter world-building might have a different experience.
April 11, 2026
I really enjoyed reading and listening to this book. Did I see the ending coming? Yes. Did I still thoroughly enjoy it? Also yes 😂 it felt like a train wreck I couldn’t look away from! I think book one is a great setup for book two. I saw some complaints about the world building and the FMC’s blind acceptance of her circumstances. While I can certainly see that POV I don’t fully agree. I’m not a spoiler so I’ll just say that I think our girl spent a large amount of time leading up to recent events already questioning her reality. I think her new reality made more sense to her and was more of a relief than anything else. I don’t see “blind acceptance”. I see someone finally being validated and understood.
All in all, I can’t wait for book 2 to see where S.R. Hartley takes us.
All in all, I can’t wait for book 2 to see where S.R. Hartley takes us.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews