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Pledge Tales #2
A Hold on Darkness: Nathan's Story
A Hold On Darkness is a retelling of A Way With Darkness from Nathan Calloway’s point of
What I had done, not only to my family and friends, but to the one person in this lifetime I gave a damn about, was unforgivable. I had clawed and scraped my way deeper and deeper into the depths of an inescapable hole, yet for whatever reason, I was given a second chance.
Murder is unforgivable. Deception, betrayal and coercion are also unforgivable, but what if it’s done for the right reasons? I had done all of those things, and still, knowing the right people, I was able to find my way back to her. All I had to do now was keep myself out of prison.
Adelaide had given me everything, yet I still yearned for more every day I spent close to her. Nothing she ever gave would sate my need for her, even after her betrayal.
I was a madman. A lost, desperate soul, searching the depths of my dark sins for some semblance of light to latch on to, and Adelaide was my only hope. I could only pray to the old gods that I still had a life worth living in the end and that she had not given up on me.
A tale of self discovery, forgiveness, and learning to trust one’s self again after making the mistake of a life time.
What I had done, not only to my family and friends, but to the one person in this lifetime I gave a damn about, was unforgivable. I had clawed and scraped my way deeper and deeper into the depths of an inescapable hole, yet for whatever reason, I was given a second chance.
Murder is unforgivable. Deception, betrayal and coercion are also unforgivable, but what if it’s done for the right reasons? I had done all of those things, and still, knowing the right people, I was able to find my way back to her. All I had to do now was keep myself out of prison.
Adelaide had given me everything, yet I still yearned for more every day I spent close to her. Nothing she ever gave would sate my need for her, even after her betrayal.
I was a madman. A lost, desperate soul, searching the depths of my dark sins for some semblance of light to latch on to, and Adelaide was my only hope. I could only pray to the old gods that I still had a life worth living in the end and that she had not given up on me.
A tale of self discovery, forgiveness, and learning to trust one’s self again after making the mistake of a life time.
534 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 11, 2025
"I would die a thousand deaths for this woman"
Nathan is coming back after being in prison for a year after committing a crime.
I really enjoyed reading this story from Nathan's POV. The first book "A Way with Darkness" is from Adelaide's POV and throughout most of the story Adelaide and us readers were always left wanting to know what Nathan was thinking!! Now, when know ✨
It was so nice seeing Nathan's and Jensen's friendship on a deeper level as well as get to see Nathan's constant battle of wanting the best for Adelaide and Jensen and not feeling like he was what was best for them to finally letting them in completely and letting himself be loved and taken care of in the way he deserves!
We also get to see more of Leighton's inner thoughts and let me tell you, he had my blood boiling!
You can read A Hold on Darkness and A Way with Darkness in any order. There is loads of magic and a slow burn romance.
Nathan is coming back after being in prison for a year after committing a crime.
I really enjoyed reading this story from Nathan's POV. The first book "A Way with Darkness" is from Adelaide's POV and throughout most of the story Adelaide and us readers were always left wanting to know what Nathan was thinking!! Now, when know ✨
It was so nice seeing Nathan's and Jensen's friendship on a deeper level as well as get to see Nathan's constant battle of wanting the best for Adelaide and Jensen and not feeling like he was what was best for them to finally letting them in completely and letting himself be loved and taken care of in the way he deserves!
We also get to see more of Leighton's inner thoughts and let me tell you, he had my blood boiling!
You can read A Hold on Darkness and A Way with Darkness in any order. There is loads of magic and a slow burn romance.
May 1, 2026
oh Nathan!! how I missed thee!
I loved reading Nathan’s POV! Having read Darkness Folding and Released first and seeing how different Nathan and Asher are! I love both men but Nathan is just an absolute sweetheart and a gentleman with Adelaide! Still hate Leighton! Just a terrible man inside and out.
I loved reading Nathan’s POV! Having read Darkness Folding and Released first and seeing how different Nathan and Asher are! I love both men but Nathan is just an absolute sweetheart and a gentleman with Adelaide! Still hate Leighton! Just a terrible man inside and out.
March 1, 2025
🖤 A hold on darkness 🖤
Zoe Conley
✨ARC review ✨
Book release: April 10th, 2025
Fresh from the pages with this review, and still reeling!
A way with darkness introduced us to Nathan and Adelaide's story, we met them, learned their history, fell in love with their story, and now? Here's Nathan's POV! I love a man's POV in a book, but a whole book dedicated to this beautiful humans mind? 💥SIGN ME UP💥 this story is emotionally driven, and there was no shortage of the spectrum of emotions captured by this character!
Nathan has endured so much trauma, he had plenty of healing to do, dark and twisty thought processes, and is still punishing himself for past things him and Adelaide faced. Relationships were to be mended, time needed to find himself, and paving a way with his new reality that he's facing. While struggling mentally with navigating so many new obstacles and emotional findings, even more new things arose that left you on your toes in wanting to know more of what he was thinking, and what was going to transpire next. The amount of growth the character had was unmatched 🖤
Given that this was Nathan's pov there was a few times the story overlapped with the first book a way with darkness, but I didn't mind one bit. 😌 this was an emotional roller coaster ( in the best way ) !
With this second book, just like the first, Zoe did a beautiful job not just giving us words on a page but transported us into their deepest feelings, thoughts, and took us with them on their magickal adventure!🖤 there was a few surprise 👀 povs from other men were familiar with in the pledge universe and that was a real treat! That being said, some of the themes in this are a bit darker, but still in a tasteful relevant manner to the plot she has curated in this beautiful tale of finding one's way out of darkness! 👏🏼
The end to this book was wrapped up beautifully in a big emerald green bow. 😉💚 IYKYK.
I can't wait to see where this series goes, and get some more of the inner workings of this pledge universe!!! The intro in this first two books laid some amazing groundwork for the author to really dig deep and span out with stories
Want to know more? You'll just have to dive into this story and find out for yourself. 🙂 happy reading! 🖤
Zoe Conley
✨ARC review ✨
Book release: April 10th, 2025
Fresh from the pages with this review, and still reeling!
A way with darkness introduced us to Nathan and Adelaide's story, we met them, learned their history, fell in love with their story, and now? Here's Nathan's POV! I love a man's POV in a book, but a whole book dedicated to this beautiful humans mind? 💥SIGN ME UP💥 this story is emotionally driven, and there was no shortage of the spectrum of emotions captured by this character!
Nathan has endured so much trauma, he had plenty of healing to do, dark and twisty thought processes, and is still punishing himself for past things him and Adelaide faced. Relationships were to be mended, time needed to find himself, and paving a way with his new reality that he's facing. While struggling mentally with navigating so many new obstacles and emotional findings, even more new things arose that left you on your toes in wanting to know more of what he was thinking, and what was going to transpire next. The amount of growth the character had was unmatched 🖤
Given that this was Nathan's pov there was a few times the story overlapped with the first book a way with darkness, but I didn't mind one bit. 😌 this was an emotional roller coaster ( in the best way ) !
With this second book, just like the first, Zoe did a beautiful job not just giving us words on a page but transported us into their deepest feelings, thoughts, and took us with them on their magickal adventure!🖤 there was a few surprise 👀 povs from other men were familiar with in the pledge universe and that was a real treat! That being said, some of the themes in this are a bit darker, but still in a tasteful relevant manner to the plot she has curated in this beautiful tale of finding one's way out of darkness! 👏🏼
The end to this book was wrapped up beautifully in a big emerald green bow. 😉💚 IYKYK.
I can't wait to see where this series goes, and get some more of the inner workings of this pledge universe!!! The intro in this first two books laid some amazing groundwork for the author to really dig deep and span out with stories
Want to know more? You'll just have to dive into this story and find out for yourself. 🙂 happy reading! 🖤
March 18, 2025
This is an ARC review.
A hold on darkness by Zoe T. Conley.
This was definitely another 5 star read. It's the same story as the first book that's called A way with darkness,but this one is from Nathan's POV. (And some others..I was so surprised and excited when I saw that).
I didn't think I could love Nathan more after book one, but I was wrong. He made his way straight to my heart. His thoughts,struggles,actions. Just everything.
The story is mainly about Adelaide and Nathan, but Jensen is very important as well. If you want to know more about the story itself, you can read my review for A way with darkness. It feels a bit silly to repeat it because it's the same story.
Don't worry, even though its the same story it doesn't feel like you're reading the first book all over again. It really gives you another experience.
The author really created such an amazing story and complex,deep characters. Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader.
A hold on darkness by Zoe T. Conley.
This was definitely another 5 star read. It's the same story as the first book that's called A way with darkness,but this one is from Nathan's POV. (And some others..I was so surprised and excited when I saw that).
I didn't think I could love Nathan more after book one, but I was wrong. He made his way straight to my heart. His thoughts,struggles,actions. Just everything.
The story is mainly about Adelaide and Nathan, but Jensen is very important as well. If you want to know more about the story itself, you can read my review for A way with darkness. It feels a bit silly to repeat it because it's the same story.
Don't worry, even though its the same story it doesn't feel like you're reading the first book all over again. It really gives you another experience.
The author really created such an amazing story and complex,deep characters. Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader.
March 25, 2025
I loved being back in Nathan & Adie's world! 🖤
All the witchy vibes gave me all the feels, right up my street.
I also got a lot more Harry Potter vibes being back in the castle & potions classes too which was amazing!
I adored the first book so much & this was great to read from Nathan's POV. It was a little bit like a behind the scenes for me, the spicy scenes were so much more fun from Nathan's POV too! I once again loved how everything was written with such care & the topics covered I found infinitely healing. 🖤
I really felt for Nathan in this book & loved his character more in this one... I think I still want a prequel to everything that went on before this timeline! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🖤🖤
This was very close to a 4 star for me but did find some of it slightly repetitive being the same timeline/story as a way with darkness. So I guess this is more of a 3.5! 🖤 ✨
All the witchy vibes gave me all the feels, right up my street.
I also got a lot more Harry Potter vibes being back in the castle & potions classes too which was amazing!
I adored the first book so much & this was great to read from Nathan's POV. It was a little bit like a behind the scenes for me, the spicy scenes were so much more fun from Nathan's POV too! I once again loved how everything was written with such care & the topics covered I found infinitely healing. 🖤
I really felt for Nathan in this book & loved his character more in this one... I think I still want a prequel to everything that went on before this timeline! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🖤🖤
This was very close to a 4 star for me but did find some of it slightly repetitive being the same timeline/story as a way with darkness. So I guess this is more of a 3.5! 🖤 ✨
April 23, 2025
A Hold on Darkness
Zoe T. Conley
‼️Check Trigger Warnings‼️
⚠️⚠️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
***Self Harm***
***Attempted SA***
***Abuse***
***Mentions Drug Use***
I've completed "A Hold on Darkness" by Zoe T Connolly, the second book in The Pledge Duet. A notable aspect of this book is its inclusion of supporting characters' and the villain's perspectives. Unlike other books I've read, where the second installment often feels redundant, this duet offered distinct insights. Character growth was exceptional, and the world-building perfectly captured the story's dark, magical essence. Supporting characters remained integral to the plot. While the writing was outstanding, I encountered numerous grammatical errors, which slowed my reading. As a proofreader and editor, I inadvertently shifted into editing mode, requiring breaks to maintain my reading flow.
Zoe T. Conley
‼️Check Trigger Warnings‼️
⚠️⚠️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
***Self Harm***
***Attempted SA***
***Abuse***
***Mentions Drug Use***
I've completed "A Hold on Darkness" by Zoe T Connolly, the second book in The Pledge Duet. A notable aspect of this book is its inclusion of supporting characters' and the villain's perspectives. Unlike other books I've read, where the second installment often feels redundant, this duet offered distinct insights. Character growth was exceptional, and the world-building perfectly captured the story's dark, magical essence. Supporting characters remained integral to the plot. While the writing was outstanding, I encountered numerous grammatical errors, which slowed my reading. As a proofreader and editor, I inadvertently shifted into editing mode, requiring breaks to maintain my reading flow.
May 26, 2025
4.5 Stars
I loved getting Nathan’s POV in A Hold on Darkness. Experiencing the same timeline from A Way With Darkness through his eyes added so much depth—and let’s be real, I’m a sucker for a damaged man pouring his heart out over the woman he loves. Nathan’s inner turmoil, devotion, and darkness? Chef’s kiss.
Yes, the plot overlaps with the first book (same timeline), so there's some repetitive scenes and dialog, and if I never see the word pleasure again, it’ll be too soon. But those are small things in the grand scheme.
Highly recommend if you love broody men, soul-deep bonds, just enough magic to keep things dangerous, and a touch of open-door spice.
I loved getting Nathan’s POV in A Hold on Darkness. Experiencing the same timeline from A Way With Darkness through his eyes added so much depth—and let’s be real, I’m a sucker for a damaged man pouring his heart out over the woman he loves. Nathan’s inner turmoil, devotion, and darkness? Chef’s kiss.
Yes, the plot overlaps with the first book (same timeline), so there's some repetitive scenes and dialog, and if I never see the word pleasure again, it’ll be too soon. But those are small things in the grand scheme.
Highly recommend if you love broody men, soul-deep bonds, just enough magic to keep things dangerous, and a touch of open-door spice.
March 26, 2025
I was a bit confused in the beginning due to it being the same plot but then realised it was an alt. pov. I love that he is a total simp but still feel that they got back together too soon. I wanted to see a bit more hate in the beginning rather than misunderstandings. I think that would have made it more engaging. I also still feel that the fantasy side and world could have been built more. It felt more like a romance than a romantasy since it was focused on couples issues rather than magical ones. An excellent book idea but the plot could have been filled more.
March 15, 2025
This story is the same story as A Way With Darkness, but in Nathan's POV. What really made it interesting was the other two surprise POV, Zoe Conley put in the book.
Knowing Adelaides story was something great being introduced into the world of Magick. Though, Nathan's story brought a whole other prospective into the pain and love they felt for each other. It showed you how much he truly struggled and how much he needed and relied on Adelaide to help her through his darkness.
Knowing Adelaides story was something great being introduced into the world of Magick. Though, Nathan's story brought a whole other prospective into the pain and love they felt for each other. It showed you how much he truly struggled and how much he needed and relied on Adelaide to help her through his darkness.
April 4, 2025
🌟ARC review 🌟
A hold on darkness by Zoe T. Conley
This is the same story as the first book "a way with darkness", but this book is from Nathan's POV.
This was so fun to read and Nathan's POV is doing all this so much more fun and interesting! All the slowburn and spicy scene's is interesting and fun from Nathan's POV.
Zoe did a great job when she wrote this! I was worried that it was going to be too much, because it's the same story. But I was wrong, it's almost better! ✨️🔥
A hold on darkness by Zoe T. Conley
This is the same story as the first book "a way with darkness", but this book is from Nathan's POV.
This was so fun to read and Nathan's POV is doing all this so much more fun and interesting! All the slowburn and spicy scene's is interesting and fun from Nathan's POV.
Zoe did a great job when she wrote this! I was worried that it was going to be too much, because it's the same story. But I was wrong, it's almost better! ✨️🔥
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews