Devour the Dark

Devourer #2

by Nikki St. Crowe

He’s my monster now.

The Crocodile, the Devourer of Men, has devoured something he shouldn’ a Myth Maker Witch. Now, with the witch’s dark power swirling inside of him, he’s losing control of his monster and quickly making his way through my ship and my crew. It’s only me and Wendy Darling who can pull him back. But even we know time is running out.

We steer my ship to Neverland where Vane, Roc’s little brother and one of Peter Pan’s Lost Boys, reveals there’s a way to fix Roc, but it requires a trip to Darkland.

With Vane and Winnie in tow, we set sail to Roc’s home island. But not everything is as it seems on Darkland. Roc has allies and enemies lurking in the soot-stained streets, but it might be his past that catches up to him first.

Roc can no longer run from who he is. But where does that leave Wendy and me?

I may have lost my hand to the Crocodile, but I’m not willing to lose my heart too.

Devour the Dark is a MMF romantasy fairytale retelling. For a full list of content warnings, please visit the author's website.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Retellings, Why Choose, Romantasy

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2025

About the author

Nikki St. Crowe is a USA Today and No. 1 Amazon Bestselling Author specializing in dark, spicy romantasy where the villain gets the girl and the girl gets the power.

Nikki considers the start of her professional career to be in the 4th grade when she placed 2nd in a Young Author’s Competition. Back then she crafted stories about magical mansions and lost treasure. She’s since ditched the treasure hunts, but she'll never give up on the magical mansions (or the morally grey men who inhabit them).

These days, when Nikki isn’t writing or daydreaming about villains, she can either be found in the woods or at home with her husband and daughter.


For information on new releases, sign up for Nikki’s newsletter, The Forbidden Garden: https://nikkistcrowe.myflodesk.com/th...

Reviews

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh yay… another disappointing sequel 😪

A book about Roc, Hook and Wendy that had SEVERAL POVs from Winnie, Asha and Vane… why do authors do that?!!

Where was the romance, banter and spice we got in book one? Roc had more banter with the kitten he found!!

This focused a lot on the plot/action but it quickly fell flat and then the book was finished. So honestly, what was the point?!

[Brittany Kilinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ughhh… Devourer of Men was one of my favorite reads of last year so I was so excited to continue the series. But this was entirely too short for a sequel. Actually it wouldn’t have been too short if it actually focused on the main characters for more than about 20% of it. I loved seeing the characters from the previous series but this needed at least 100 more pages of just the main couple.

[Shaz ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vane *Eyes On Me* Maddred delivered the delicious POV we were all waiting for 🤤

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up right where book 1 ended and you DO need to read these in order as they are about the same romance.

Roc, Wendy, and Hook pick things up where we left them. On a quest to save Roc from the witch he devoured. That bitch is trying to bite back for sure!

I will say, I haven't read the other series, and in book 1 that was okay, but in this one the full cast of the previous series seemed to arrive. And I was a bit clueless!

I also feel like we had so many perspectives but not enough time was spent on Roc, Wendy, and Hook making their romance work. I guess this isn't a series about discussing that too much though. Which is fine!

This was fast-paced and it just flew by! Which made for a quick listen but also... didn't really leave an impression on my either.

Full Cast Audio, led by Shane East, Stella Hunter, and Robert Hachet.

4 Stars
3 on the spice scale

CW: See authors website

*Thank you to Must Love Audio and the author for and ALC of this title.*

[Jenna Brito · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75⭐️- Ugh this was disappointing. I will be the first to agree that objectively these books are not great but I generally love them. Just like the Devourer of Men, I wanted more! There wasn’t enough of Roc, Hook, and Wendy. The romance was lacking and I don’t even mean spice, I mean plain intimacy and connection between the characters. The plot itself, fell short and was pretty anticlimactic. I just didn’t love this one.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firecracker makes up for the lack of nut busting and Nikki can tell a story I tell you what.

[amarachireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

This was an okay read, i liked the characters and i thought the relationship development was good but i just needed more with the story. Hook, wendy and crocodile were hot with so much chemistry but i wasn’t as into the story probably because of the length. Overall a good, fast retelling!

[Kayleigh Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just amazing. Couldn’t put it down. That ending had me throwing my kindle with hints of what’s to come. And the origin story 👌 chefs kiss

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m torn between disappointment and glee. Because this was a great story, I loved the way it unfolded, but I expected so much more Hook & Roc, so I’m left wanting.

I loved getting more Vane, his relationship with Roc, and their lore (I mean hello, who saw that coming?!!). But, Vane, Winnie, & Asha’s POV felt unnecessary. If the book had been longer it would have been fine, but for only 200 pages it really was frustrating to be taken away from Hook, Roc, and Wendy so often. And then I’m frustrated feeling like that because Asha was a great character.

Basically I wanted a 500 page book and this, sadly, barely scratch the itch. But I’d be lying if I didn’t give it 4 stars because it did slap?! It just wasn’t what I thought I was getting.

Happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time.

[Kika Rendeiro · Rating 2 out of 5]

compared to the first one this one was disappointing

[Sober Decay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing !!

A perfectly wrapped up tale of my hand-down absolutely favorite universe and men, Roc and Hook (and Wendy I guess meh).

I forced myself to read this very slowly knowing it was probably the end of the series and I wanted it to last. Only to discover at the end -there’s more coming !! YAY thank you Crowe XOXO.

[Sienasummerrreads]

I definitely recommend reading the Never King series first, followed by book one in this series to get the full experience. The audiobook is full cast and absolutely brilliant—I highly recommend picking it up in that format.

I love the dark, twisted world Nikki has created and how she’s reimagined this story, especially with the added MM element. The MMF scenes are a standout for me. It’s the kind of book filled with morally grey men, steamy moments, and a plot that keeps you engaged and guessing from start to finish.

That said, I do wish I had waited for the series to be complete before starting. It’s been a while since I read the first book, and I struggled to remember some of the details. But even with that, I still really enjoyed this one and I’m excited to read more from Nikki!

Genre/Type: Dark Fantasy Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 4hrs 56mins
Narrators: Shane East, Robert Hatchet, Corvin King, Roxelana Waters, Stella Hunter, Curtis Michael Holland and Diontae Black - Full Cast
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Series or Standalone: Book Two In The Devourer Series
Tropes or Themes: Enemies To Lovers, Why Choose, Fantasy, Retelling (Captain Hook, Crocodile and Wendy), Morally Grey Men, Touch Her and Die Vibes, Jealousy, Magic, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk, Eyes On Me, You Can Take It and MMF Scene
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
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TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

[Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
2 🌶

I very highly recommend reading Devourer of Man before reading this. You can read this one as a stand-alone, but....... Also, reading the Vicious series is advisable but unnecessary to enjoy this read.

Crowe has really found her stride in this series. They have continually gotten better and better as the plot thickens and progresses.

The cat 😹 a purrfect addition to smooth Roc's rough edges.

When I was reading the Vicious Lost Boys, Vane was my absolute favorite! I couldn't get enough of his storyline. Here, he is back again only this time to help his brother Roc. I was delighted to get a progression through his POV.

This short novella sure packs a punch! Multiple POVs ( Roc, Hook, Asha, Wendy, and Vane), a daring adventurous tale, and of course, SPICE. There isn't as much spice as in previous books in the series, but the banter more than makes up for it!

While I found Winnie from Vicious a Vapid little girl, I delighted over Wendy. He strength and determination is admirable. Her love shines through. She is everything I want in a heroine. Not afraid to show weakness, she can be soft and caring, but also feirce and steadfast.
( I am happy to see that Winnie is growing up and developing more depth of character)

"James was always a gentle breeze. The kind you lean into with a sigh."

James Hook is not like the man from Disney. He loves feircly, fights ferociously, and panics fearfully over those he cares for.

The world building is fantastic. You really get a separate but connected feel between each new land. The salt air wraps around the reader while on the ship just as easily as the darkness creeping in on Darkland. The relaxed tropical nature of Neverland filled with a lethal undercurrent draws one in to set up home.

I loved how the author interwove different classical stories into her land. From Wonderland to Hansel and Gretel, she left me craving more.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikki’s imagination is unparalleled! I don’t know what I was expecting for the ending to the Devourer Series but this delivered. The way she brings in your favorite fairytale worlds seamlessly is really quite impressive. Also, loved the addition of Firecracker. :)

I did have to brush up on how both Devourer of Men and the Vicious Lost Boys Series ended to really immerse myself in what was happening at the start of this book because there are a lot of powers and shadows up in the air and they play a vital role in how the story moves forward. (I am a little confused though, now that Pan has his shadow back, why is he only coming out at night…is this a choice, I forgot if he decided this in Fae Princes).

I love that we get to visit another of the seven isles and that we learn a little more about Vane and Roc. You should have heard me gasping on the beach when the first little clue word was uttered on the page. I screamed at my husband about their uncle at that moment lol, I was so excited. I feel like there is still so much story to tell for them though and maybe one day we will get that, I think Nikki has definitely left the door open. This story was spicy and fast paced with a good adventure and intrigue. You get enough answers to sate your curiosity for now but keep you wanting more for the next installment of the seven isles whatever form that might take in the future.

[Alexa Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love everything Nikki writes in this world and could get lost in it forever. I devour (no pun intended) literally everything she writes in the world of the Seven Isles. Devourer of men was one of my absolute favorites last year, so this was highly anticipated for me. That being said it was too short for me and I needed more of Roc and Hook, their banter is always SO GOOD😭 I loved getting Vane in this book but feel he overpowered a little. I still had a great time reading this and am so sad it’s over!

Can I also just say, anyone else not surprised Roc would be a cat dad?😂

[Kait Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear, Nikki puts drugs in her books.
I read this in one sitting. Her ability to story-tell in so few pages is astounding. I always want more!
The Easter eggs.
Are. You. Fucking. Kidding. Me.
Brilliant.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want morrrreeee

These short reads from Nikki are always so much fun! I will say I wish we didn't have so much of Vane and Winnie. They were definitely a part of the plot, but they got their own 4 books previously. I wish we had focused even more on Roc, Hook, and Wendy. I can't wait to see what else is in store based on the little bread crumbs left for us.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars! Devour the Dark is a MMF, fairy tale retelling full of unhinged and morally grey main characters! It is the 2nd book in the Devourer duet and a spin-off from the Vicious Lost Boys series! While you can definitely read this on its own, you will get more out of it if you’ve read VLB series. This story follows Captain Hook, Crocodile, and Wendy Darling!

This author’s books are just fun and entertaining, plus on the shorter side which makes for an easy, quick binge! I think the first book in this duet was stronger but this was fun as well, just would have liked a bit more with the characters vs seeing characters from the other series so much in here. The setup/breadcrumbs of a future series/book was super fun and I’m curious (and curiouser 🤭) where that’ll go! Audios are always the way to go with this author for me, the full cast never disappoints!

I received an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed every page

Kindle Read
194 Pages
Dark Fantasy
Book 2 in the 'Devourer' duet
Related to the 'Vicious Lost Boys' series
MMF Romance
Spice
Multiple POV

Fast paced, intrigue, action, spice, mystery, secrets and some much loved characters from the 'Vicious Lost Boys' series. This book picks up from book 1 almost immediately, which is just as well cos the Cliff hanger I was left on had me stressed!
Roc can't control his shift and his a danger to everyone. Hook and Wendy return with him to Neverland, despite their banishment, to seek help from Vane. The adventure continues and Roc needs to be saved before the witch he devoured takes control or kills him.
I really really enjoyed this book and I'm now kinda sad it's over. If you are a fan of the Never King books and all things Neverland I highly recommend this book and all the related ones that go with it cos they build up one epic tale and I will never see Neverland in the same light again!

[𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙚✌️📚🦄 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roc, Hook + Wendy

-peter pan reimagining
-MMF
-second chance
-pnr romance

i love these 3 & their development was great to get thru hook & wendy's insecurities..but i definitely wanted more of them together 😏😉 its always so short haha

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just LOVE this series and the worlds that Nikki builds!
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up. DEVOURED (🤭) this in one sitting.

[Ninon's library · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️
Comme les autres, il se lit très bien! J’ai adoré que certains de la saga précédentes soient aussi présents dans ce tome!
Et les clins d’œil à d’autres contes m’ont bien plu🐊

[kayla Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omggggg nikki out did herself again!!!! Ugh I love this womans writting!!

The twist at the end was chefs kiss... like I screamed and was wanting more and more, but now we must wait for another book!!!

[Bree Hoover · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ I’m sad it’s over and feeling like I didn’t get enough. I felt like I spent the first half of the book trying to remember what happened and then confused by the additional POVs. Too much was introduced without enough explanation. I hope the author finds a way to continue the story in another spin off or something because I’m just left feeling unsatisfied.

[Johanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say I felt much for the characters. They weren't really fleshed out and everything went forward so quick.

This was somehow really rushed story.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was so fun to listen to! I highly recommend rereading book 1 before going in because I forgot SOOOO much from it.

I was so excited to see all my favorite characters from the other books too :’) the story had me on the edge of my seat & I couldn’t wait to get answers

We better get more though!!!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

[lex (samkiel’s version ⚡︎) · Rating 4 out of 5]

roc & hook are back baby!!!! 🙂‍↕️

I’m so happy with how their story concluded. DoM left me with so many questions about Roc, Wendy, and Hook’s future, and DtD managed to both answer them and leave me with new ones. The narrators were each so hot & brought the characters to love so well. The story was steamy (hello bossy Roc!!!), so mysterious and action packed. It was also nice to see the Lost Boys again (hi Daddy Pan!!!) 🥰

I can’t wait to see more of Roc & Vane’s past.

Thank you to Must Love Audio for the ALC!

[haylovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

roc may be the devourer of men, but i was the devourer of this book!! i did not want to put this down. this was a true enemies to lovers and such a fun time. The banter was fantastic. The plot line has me invested, and the spice was also amazing. I think this was such a fun retelling of Peter Pan with Hook, Roc, and Wendy. The narrators absolutely killed it. I listened to the vicious lost boy series on audio, and listening to this book on audio made me realize how much I loved the last series. The audio makes all the difference!! Thank you to must love audio for the audio copy.

[Ryan!! · Rating 3 out of 5]

i did NOT see the Alice in Wonderland crossover coming.

a little short + lots of grammar mistakes and weird sentence flow :( i feel like both the Devourer books could have just been combined into one novel… and edited better.

[High Lady of Delulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I don't know yet, I might up this later but right after finishing it, the ending felt just a bit rushed.

First, I loved returning to this world! I've been obsessed with Roc's and Hook's connection since the Never King series. (Fun fact: they were my gateway drug into MM romance, so to speak) Both characters just make so much... sense and their dynamic is amazing.

Although much less than in Devourer of Men, I still struggled with feeling the connection to Wendy though. I did like that she differs from Winnie in that she shows what poly can look like if assurance is needed in the beginning and ultimately I didnt mind her being part of the relationship, I just still struggle to grasp her role, her character a bit.

As for the plot, it worked. Somehow the second half felt like the focus was taken away from the main trio a bit and read more like a build up for whatever comes next.
Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed diving into the story of Roc and Vane (also: Vane POVs? yes, I was sooo here for that!). I did like the way Roc was forced to be vulnerable and was pushed into his development, especially since in the trouple dynamic, he tends to have the strong, grounding role.
I would maybe have wished for Hook and Wendy to offer more of a balance and safety net for him to fall back to.

The tie to Alice in Wonderland was something I expected as soon as the hat was mentioned, so it wasn’t unexpected that not only Lost Land but also Wonderland got an intro.
Much like Roc appeared in the Never King series, I have a feeling that Asha might play a role in whatever comes next, cause it sure leaves the door open for another connected series.

Overall, I liked where this went and will always devour an audiobook with Shane East. I loved returning to the characters and getting more background information – and time with Vane. The way Nikki St. Crowe built the foundation for more was very welcome! Overall, however, I ended the book feeling like it was just slightly… incomplete, more like this was a build-up for something else.