Darkening Song

by Delphine Seddon

DARKENING SONG is a fiercely feminist debut about two young women; one a recording artist failed by the industry which made her an idol, and the other her ambitious manager, forced to make an impossible choice between friendship and power.

TO BE ADAPTED INTO A MAJOR TELEVISION SERIES

Eva is just 18 years old and interning at a record label when she discovers 16 year old Alora online. Never has she heard a voice like Alora’s and when it’s clear there isn’t anyone at the label interested in hearing this phenomenal talent, Eva takes matters into her own hands. On a whim, Eva offers Alora representation as her manager without knowing the first thing about artist management or what’s about to happen to both of them.

And it turns out Eva was right... Alora is swiftly catapulted into the spotlight of major superstardom, and as the two navigate the whirling vortex of fame—the parties, the money, the paparazzi, and power—they form a deep bond, becoming found family for one another.

But when Alora’s dark and mysterious past begins to infiltrate her present and Eva’s ambition and success blind her to the obvious signs that her client and, most importantly, her friend is in trouble, their lives unravel with disastrous consequences.

DARKENING SONG is a story about friendship and betrayal. It’s a love story, and a story about growing up in an industry which sometimes disregards the needs of young girls and women in favour of self-interest. But more than anything, it’s a story about redemption, and the ways that hopes and dreams can come true in ways we least expect.

Genres: Fiction, Feminism, Contemporary, Friendship, Young Adult, Drama

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 10, 2026

About the author

DELPHINE SEDDON writes female-driven, new adult contemporary fiction. Originally from Staffordshire, England, she now lives by the sea in rural West Wales. For the past 20 years she has worked as an executive in the music industry. DARKENING SONG is her debut novel.

Connect with her on:

Website: www.delphineseddon.com
TikTok/Instagram: @delphineseddon
Substack: https://drivingblindlyintothemist.sub...

Reviews

[Stacy40pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkening Song by Delphine Seddon. Thanks to @stmartinspress for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eva is only an intern at the record label when she discovers sixteen year old Alora, but that doesn’t stop her from catapulting Alora to fame, changing her own life in the process.

I’m not always a huge fan of music fiction but this one hooked me. I loved both Eva and Alora’s characters. I loved that they were almost the same age, but living two different stories that despite being similar on the outside, ended up with completely different roles and responsibilities to each other. There was a deep story to this one and it was heartbreaking knowing Alora’s past and learning what she went through. Don’t get frustrated if you feel you missed a few things. It is purposefully done and all will be revealed in time.. including song lyrics!

“And I’ve risen from the ashes on wings of flame. And their love means everything to me. And at the same time, it means nothing at all. Because none of it is real and all I’ve ever wanted was a family.”

Darkening Song comes out 3/10.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This kept me entertained for the most part but the tone was just a little young for me? It felt a little too teen angst for me. Eva is an 18 year old intern at a record label when she’s shown a video of 16 year old Alora singing online. She doesn’t know how but she knows she’s gonna make Alora a star. Eva contacts Alora and asks if she can be her manager knowing she’s just an intern and knows nothing about managing. It ends up working for the best but when Alora’s past starts catching up to her will fame push her over the edge? I don’t know I just didn’t exactly feel the bond between the two main characters and really just enjoyed their side stories and characters. As always, thank you St. Martin’s Press for the earc.

[Starr ❇✌❇]

"a fiercely feminist novel about two girls; one a teen star failed by the industry which turned her into an idol, and the other her ambitious young manager, forced to make an impossible choice between friendship and power."

[Kendall Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars, rounded down)

I got this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway, and when I received the book, the top of it wasn't cut properly. Like, I had to go in and individually cut the pages apart. This isn't the author's fault, and I'm not writing this to complain (ultimately, who cares, it's more funny than anything), but it was my first impression of the book and really didn't make it desirable. Again: I'm not going to, like, demote the book a star for it, but it was a real bummer to start with and that might've clouded my initial feelings.

Overall, though, I did like the book. The writing in particular really stood out to me. I liked how atmospheric it was; the style did a good job to encompass the tone and messages that the author was trying to portray. It wasn't a perfect book, and I thought it took a moment to find its groove, but I enjoyed reading it.

I'm reading it about six months before it comes out, so I don't know how much — if at all — it will change, but there were a lot of moments where a lack of editing came out. There were many run-on sentences that were in desperate need of a comma or two. Also, sweet and sweat were mixed up at least once each.

While I was overall impressed by the writing, I did find the reliance on reveals to be a bit cheap. From the beginning, the book is dangling the idea of hidden information in front of the reader, and I don't know if that was really necessary. I'd say there are three main reveals, and two of them were only reveals because the author was outright holding back information, which I think is a lazy way to write. It's a shame, because the third of the Big Reveals was actually well done within the context of the story, so I know it could've been possible. None of the reveals were particularly earned, either; the characters didn't change or grow to justify why they were now telling me this information they had previously kept from me. I think the story would've been benefitted by not relying on these moments to surprise the reader and just trusting in the strength of the story itself.

The writing would also get a little corny sometimes. Right at the start, during an otherwise very emotional moment that opens the book, the author clarifies that the main social media platform is Gramzee, owned by Leon Tusk, which is just silly. The book immediately embraces its melancholy and serious tone, so naming the evil social media owner Leon Musk is about as off-putting as it would've been if we'd just gone with Elongated Muskrat. (It was also unnecessary since someone later uses the word "Instagrammable," but that's besides the point.) Also, for a book that otherwise did a good job of maintaining a writing voice that felt real and genuine, a lot of the dialogue near the end really lost it. It's not that it was bad or wrong in any way, but it became a lot more overt and aware, as if the author wanted to be certain that this point wasn't missed. While these moments did take me out of the story a little bit, it didn't happen too often.

The girls have alternating chapters from their own POVs, which I found distinct enough. My biggest issue was that they were so independent from one another. Alora's chapters would be The Plot, with Eva's chapters coloring in the context. After their initial meeting, they barely interacted. This wasn't actually much of a problem for me as far as the story goes, but it's not a book about friendship. In fact, had the author opted to explore the impact friendship more, it could've been interesting, but that just didn't happen.

The story follows Eva and Alora equally, but while the description makes it seem as though Eva is the main driving force, this is undeniably Alora's story. She is the favorite child. I felt like her perspective had a tendency to lull at the beginning, getting into a monotonous series of unfortunate events, but once it settled, her story was really engaging. At the end, though, the story as a whole totally lost its steam. It was like someone told the author, after she had written 300 pages, that she only had 50 more. The buildup took so long, and the payoff at the end was not worth it. The final revelations that each girl had was unearned, and Alora in particular did not have a satisfying ending (even though that's what the author was clearly going for).

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I liked Eva a lot. Sure, her character development took her to some dark places, but the author did a good job crafting an unlikable protagonist. But, at a certain point, she got entirely abandoned. That's when it became clear to me that this was Alora's story, not Eva's, which is a shame given the way it was written. I was disappointed that, instead of finding a way to write a solid conclusion for both characters, Eva was just forgotten about it in the background. The stuff she was dealing with (or at least her perspective on it) was a big deal, but the lack of proper ending for her made the impact feel inconsequential.

While I did like these two, the story was build by the plot, not by the characters. Whether or not this is a problem comes down to reader preference, though.

The only other thing I want to point out is really nitpicky, and it's important to me that I make it clear that I know it's not a big deal. But I'm very curious on if the author has ever actually been to Texas. Eventually we end up in Austin on a very isolated ranch, which you're just not going to find in actual Austin. This is a city with a big music scene, not a expansive country town. Also, you're not going to find people with vases of bluebonnets. But whatever, it's fine.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I was expecting to, even if it wasn't perfect. The author did a good job of tackling a tough story, and I found it to be overall well-told.

[Pennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Darkening Song” pulled me in from the very first chapter and never let me go. Delphine Seddon crafts a story laced with tension, shadowed emotion, and a steadily building sense of unease that made it impossible to step away. The pacing moves quickly, yet never feels rushed—something I usually worry about in tightly written books. In this case, Seddon’s use of a dual perspective keeps the characters grounded and layered, allowing each voice to reveal its own quiet depths.

What really stood out to me were the echoes and contrasts between the two narrators. Their parallels thread through the book in a way that makes the plot feel both intimate and inevitable, pulling their separate journeys into one haunting, cohesive arc. The story digs into the intersections of power, art, gender, and the relentless weight of the public eye, exploring each theme with a sharpness that lingers long after you close the book.

Overall, “Darkening Song” is a mesmerizing, unsettling, and surprisingly hopeful exploration of what it means to be seen—and what it costs. It’s a book I’d recommend to anyone who loves character-driven storytelling wrapped in atmospheric tension and emotional complexity.

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. That did not reflect my review.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Darkening Song' is a story of coming to age in the public eye. Set in a dual POV, Alora, a 16 year old who has quickly risen to stardom, battles with the reality of her past while being thrown into the limelight. Eva, her 18 year old amature manager, tries to hold Alora's career together while her own life falls apart.

I binged this in a little under two days. The quickly paced chapters and dual POV pulls you into the story quickly. I loved the Daisy Jones vibes of this story, although found "Gramzee" and "Leon Tusk" to be a little too on the nose. Although modern media plays a major role in this story, I think it could've been even more interesting if it took place in the 90's - magazines and news headlines replacing social media. As someone who lives in the social media age, I prefer to escape it when I pick up a book. The ending took me by surprise and felt a bit rushed / unrealistic, but it did give me a great sense of closure for the character. Overall I enjoyed reading this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Josh Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an eARC for an honest review!

Darkening Song is a book that kept me hooked consistently. Delphine Seddon delivers a tense narrative at a relatively brisk pace throughout, which usually is something that I feel makes some of the characters played down or feel underdeveloped, however Seddon's choice of a dual perspective allows for this to be less of a problem. I think that the parallels between the two are very apparent throughout, which helps tie the story and character arcs together. It provides a fascinating look at the interplay of power, art, gender, and public attention, and is well worth a read for anyone looking to enjoy a bleakly optimistic look at those subjects.

[Sheridan Irwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

shoutout to NetGalley for the ARC but… I really didn’t like this one 😭 I knew that the author was probably a certain generation because the writing reminded me of fanfictions I read as a preteen on wattpad and tumblr; just very juvenile.

also a winner amongst many annoying spoofs of real pop culture events/celebs was “Leon Tusk was last photographed climbing into his spacecraft, fleeing the planet”

I really wanted to like this but I just couldn’t 😭😭😭

[Jane Perron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, sad to see the life of a star.

[imabookmagnet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this isn’t quite in the VH1 where are they now genre that’s come about recently, this book sucked me in as if it was. Told from the point of view of an up-and-coming singer and her manager, this story gives you all of the emotions, all of the anxieties, all of the trauma. I wanted to yell at characters. I wanted to hug characters and I wanted to cry for characters.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes the VH1 where are they now genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Brainard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Echoes of Ambition and Heartbreak: A Review of Darkening Song by Delphine SeddonIn the glittering yet treacherous world of the music industry, where dreams are currency and betrayal lurks behind every spotlight, Delphine Seddon's debut novel Darkening Song emerges as a raw, unflinching anthem for young women navigating power, passion, and the cost of fame. Set against the pulsing backdrop of London's indie scene in the late 2010s, this fiercely feminist tale follows two best friends, Mia and Lena, whose unbreakable bond is tested when a viral hit catapults them into the industry's maw. Seddon, a COO in the music world herself and a graduate of Faber & Faber's writing academy, draws from her insider vantage to paint a vivid portrait of an ecosystem that chews up young talent—especially women—in pursuit of profit and prestige. What begins as a euphoric ode to sisterhood and serendipitous success spirals into a harrowing exploration of exploitation, with redemption flickering like a stage light in the distance.At its heart, Darkening Song is a dual narrative that weaves Mia's street-smart cynicism with Lena's wide-eyed idealism. Mia, a sharp-tongued songwriter from a working-class background, pens the titular track—a haunting ballad about lost innocence that explodes on TikTok, drawing the attention of a slick label exec who promises the world. Lena, her more vulnerable counterpart, is the ethereal vocalist whose voice turns Mia's words into gold, but whose naivety makes her ripe for manipulation. As they tour dingy venues to sold-out arenas, Seddon masterfully captures the intoxicating rush of creation: late-night jam sessions fueled by cheap wine, the electric thrill of a crowd chanting your lyrics back at you, the quiet intimacies of shared secrets in cramped tour vans. Yet, beneath the glamour, fissures form—jealousy over credits, predatory advances from producers, the relentless pressure to commodify one's body and story. It's a love story too, tender and messy, as Mia grapples with her unspoken feelings for Lena amid the chaos, adding layers of queer longing that feel achingly authentic.Seddon's prose is lyrical yet grounded, evoking the rhythm of a building chorus: short, punchy sentences for the high-energy gigs, languid introspection for the emotional troughs. Her industry savvy shines in the details—the shady NDAs, the ghostwriting scandals, the way algorithms amplify voices while silencing others—making the novel a timely indictment of a machine that prioritizes virality over humanity. Themes of female solidarity clash against the betrayal that often undercuts it, echoing Sally Rooney's conversational intimacy in Conversations with Friends or Carmen Maria Machado's sharp dissections of power in Her Body and Other Parties, but with a distinctly musical pulse. It's new adult fiction at its most resonant, bridging the gap between YA's coming-of-age angst and adult lit's unflinching realism, and Seddon's poetic background infuses the dialogue with a musicality that lingers long after the page.That said, the novel isn't without its off-notes. The pacing occasionally drags in the midsection, as Seddon piles on subplots involving rival bands and tabloid drama, diluting the emotional core before the climactic fallout. Some readers might crave more resolution in the redemption arc—Seddon opts for a nuanced, open-ended hope rather than tidy bows, which feels true to life but can leave you aching for closure. Early buzz from ARC readers on Goodreads hails it as "a gut-punch reminder of what it costs to chase the spotlight," with one noting, "Seddon doesn't just tell a story; she scores it, every heartbreak hitting like a drop in the beat."Darkening Song isn't content to be background noise—it's the earworm that demands replay, urging us to amplify the voices it's championing. In an industry (and a world) still reckoning with its treatment of women, Delphine Seddon delivers a debut that's as empowering as it is heartbreaking: a reminder that true harmony comes not from fame, but from the courage to sing your own darkening truths. Clocking in at around 350 pages of heartbreak and harmony, this is essential reading for anyone who's ever dreamed big—and paid the price. Four and a half stars: a rising track on repeat.

[Madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the surface, Darkening Song ticked a lot of boxes for me — it’s billed as a music story about friendship and redemption. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this one at all.

Eva is interning at a record label when she comes across Alora online, a 16-year-old singer with a haunting voice and vibe. Despite Eva’s best efforts, the record label won’t give her the time of day to pitch new talent, so she offers to represent Alora as her manager. Eva has no experience managing artists, let alone working in the music industry, but they team up and Alora rises quickly to stardom. As they become more successful, the line between friend and manager becomes blurry, leading to a betrayal.

I was intrigued to see Eva learn how to be a talent manager, watch the friendship develop between her and Alora, and follow the arc of their betrayal and redemption. Those aspects were almost nonexistent, however. The story focuses more on Alora, and I didn’t feel an authentic friendship between her and Eva. In fact, they rarely spent time together. By the end of the story, I still don't know what a talent manager does because I didn’t see Eva do anything to help Alora become successful. There was a lot of telling rather than showing.

Darkening Song relied heavily on tropes — the focus was on setting the scene with big name musicians, lavish settings, and stereotyped characters. When it came to the story itself, it was largely about addiction. There are other things going on behind the scenes, but you don’t find out about them until the end. I tend to avoid stories about addiction because they follow the same arc almost every time, so I wish there’d been a heads up about it.

I think Alora was supposed to be an edgy character, but she was angsty and sullen with very little nuance, and came across as obnoxious.

What really didn’t work for me though was the snarky tone. It reminded me of an early 2000s teen movie where we’re meant to judge characters based on their appearance (and in this case, taste in music). Because of that, I felt like I was told how to feel about each character rather than being trusted to form my own conclusions. Giving your reader that space and respect is a big deal for me.

I love a music story, but this one was a pass.

[Indra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkening Song is a fierce and painful crescendo of a story, one that starts with a spark and spirals into something raw, electric, and deeply tragic. It’s about fame, yes, but also about power and pain and girlhood and the unbearable fragility of being both loved and consumed. 🎤💔

Alora and Eva are two sides of a coin, circling each other in a storm of ambition and survival. One is the voice. The other, the handler. And for a moment, their bond feels like magic. But magic always comes with a cost.

This book had me turning pages fast, drawn in by the rhythm of the prose and the eerie foreshadowing that something was about to break. Seddon captures the music industry’s glossy surface and then tears it apart from the inside. What you’re left with is something bleeding and real.

What I Loved
• The dual POV structure made the unraveling feel personal and unrelenting 🌀
• Alora’s storyline, especially, was haunting and unforgettable
• The commentary on industry exploitation felt sharp and lived-in
• Eva’s ambition was messy, painful, and human
• The title is perfect - this is a song, and it gets darker with every note

What Didn’t Work for Me
• Some reveals felt held back just for shock, not character growth 😬
• The Leon Tusk spoof broke the mood - too cheeky for the tone
• Eva faded too far into the background in the final act
• The ending rushed through what could’ve been a more powerful finale
• Dialogue occasionally felt forced, especially in emotional climaxes

This wasn’t a flawless book. There were moments that made me wince, and others I had to reread to figure out if I missed something. But it’s one that stays with you. Alora’s story in particular is one I won’t forget any time soon.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - For the girls who are stars before they’re ready, and for the ones who try to hold them up 🖤

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC 💌

[Danna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alora is 16 when Eva finds her recorded reel on Gramzee, a social media platform that sounds like a blend of Instagram, TikTok and music owned by Tusk (a thinly veiled poke at Musk). At the time she views the reel, Eva is an intern at a music label and is determined to make a career of it. Through a combination of chutzpah and persistence on Eva’s part and risk taking and a wing and a prayer, Eva becomes Alora’s manager and the two rocket to stardom.

Darkening Song is the story of how these two women’s lives are torn apart by the voracious music industry.

I found Darkening Song incredibly readable. The chapters moving back and forth from Eva to Alora were easy to follow, and while so much was wild, it also felt totally possible.

This novel touches on a lot of tough subjects including sexual consent, alcoholism and drug addiction, eating disorders, and grief. It’s a bit tragic, which is what you’d expect from a 16-year-old whose fame is built on creating the genre of “misery pop” (so clever!) because she is so depressed. Overall though, I really enjoyed it.

Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite quotes:
“Don’t know how to love myself So how could he love me?”

“Some of the female guests were wearing so much makeup that they looked like cadavers in the morgue, heavily spray-painted and ready for their own funerals.”

“‘There’s always a power dynamic in any relationship, to a degree. Money, age, socio-economic status. But those guys knew they had something on me or at least they should’ve known. Like I said, consent’s a complicated concept.’”

“And I wonder what I’m supposed to do with all this unrequited feeling. Pack it away in a box maybe, hope that someone else comes along one day who’ll take it off my hands, make sure I never prioritise work over love again.”

[nat ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity of reading this arc. ᢉ𐭩

Rating: 4.25 ★

Review: OH.MY.GOD! This book took me for a ride. We are following two POV’s, one is an artist and one is the manager. At first I was a little confused regarding the timeline but it starts with a traumatic event and the it starts with what lead up to that moment. This book had such a good representation of mental health and the way trauma shapes our life’s and often dictates our actions regarding anything that triggers said trauma. You can really feel this author’s knowledge of the music industry in every page, and it truly felt like seeing movie in my head because it portrayed what fame can do to a person. In this case for both of our main characters it made them different, in Eva’s case she lost herself in the game trying to be a different girl from the one who was bullied and abused when she was a child. You see her changing as the money kept coming and she just kept chasing the high of her “friend” and client. And in Alora’s case you see her keep drowning in the hole she was already in. I just really loved how this story was written and the important themes that were spoken. The hardships of being a woman in male dominated fields, how fame can ruin people’s lives, how sometimes in the public eye people form parasocial relationship and how the people who manage those artist can profit from it and they even go as far as wishing for “cult following”. If you have the chance please read this book.

“And I’m thankful for all my blessings. The warmth of a steaming mug between two cold hands. The leisurely unfurl of a rosebud in spring. A line of a book which pierces your heart. These are the things that matter in life. Not Bentleys or Balenciaga, mansions or millions of followers online—strangers envious of the person you pretend to be.”

[Pat Trattles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I requested this title mainly because St. Martin’s Press was one of my favorites. I could rely on them to provide a good story with well-drawn characters and an engaging plot. They failed miserably with this one. It started out OK, but about halfway through I was bored (especially with Eva’s sections) and couldn’t wait for it to end. It was painful to finish. Initially Alora’s teen angst seemed real and I sympathized with her. But it didn’t last. The story evolved into one big stereotypical exaggeration after another. It’s like the author wanted to tackle all the worst of fame and fortune into one story – sex, drugs, predatory male authority figures, the naïve teen etc. without actually developing the characters themselves. The “surprise” ending was so predictable that it fell flat. And the language didn’t even come close to teen speak. What teen says, “Concertina-ing her red umbrella,” or “collage of color”” or rain soaked glass?” Oh sure, it was loaded with f**k this, f**k that and F**k everything else, which apparently is a must for all contemporary fiction, which St. Martin’s Press has now lowered itself to include. But that in no way makes a good story. In fact it cheapens it and shows a lack of imagination on the part of the writer. I am giving this 2.5 stars because the first half was relatively interesting. I received an e-ARC from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deirdre Crampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where does an ingenue start? This captivating story delves in to the dirty business of the music world when it goes from 0 to 100 in no time.
Eva is an intern at Low Slang Records. Desperate to get her teeth sunk in to the industry but really not sure where to start. Desperate to make her mark she decideds finding new and upcoming artists will help her stand out.
Alora is a very young creative. She has not found her footing with a broken family and no friends she escapes to music and writing. Her voice is powerful and haunting all at once.
Eva decided to see Alora and is enraptured by her beautiful voice instantly and asks to be her manager on the spot. Soon the two of them are thrust in to the spotlight, moving from nobody to selling out massive stadiums. It’s all too much for both of them. Next thing Alora knows she is broadcasting her demise on Gramzee and subsequently being shipped off to a rehab facility she doesn’t want to be in.
This book was a super read and message on the overwhelming industry that is not just the music world, but the promotion and commodification of all music anymore. The enormous pressure of it all. I enjoyed it, distanced from it all and imagining the difficulty these popular artists go through to maintain and withhold their status as top artists of our day.
Thank you Netgalley for my Arc in return for my review.

[Saloni Porwal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of this book. I should've seen it coming since I wasn't in love with Malibu Rising, though in my opinion that book was much better than this one. The writing style is certainly captivating, and I kept turning the pages. However, as the story went on, I grew to dislike the MCs more and more. I couldn't find a single likeable thing about either of them. I felt as though there were jumps in the storytelling and I didn't understand the character arcs of both girls. With no music industry background, I've no clue if that aspect of the story is authentic, but I don't doubt that the story is rooted in reality.

The blurb claims that the story is about friendship, yet I found none. There is no point while reading when I sensed any platonic love between Eva and Alora. I was so much more interested in side characters who appear very briefly, like Ade (Eva's boyfriend), Julia (Alora's mother), and Katerina (Eva's sister). The story is definitely more plot driven than character driven, so if that's not something you enjoy, this one mightn't be for you. I personally saw part of the ending coming and wasn't surprised in the least, but it didn't satisfy or sit right with me.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this e-ARC.

I enjoyed this book and liked that it was written from two different viewpoints and, while primarily set in the present, you are given the full backstory that leads to where they are today.
Eva - At the beginning of the book, she was a little annoying and somewhat whiny. She was also insecure and not confident. I didn’t like that version of her. As the book goes on, she becomes more confident but also very self-involved and I didn’t like that version of her either. That being said, I’m sure that was somewhat the intent of the author to show this “growth” and change in here to where she is in the end.
Alora - At 18, she’s lived a lot of life, both good and bad and I really liked the way her arc was written. To me, her character was very true to a teenager especially one thrust into the limelight and trying to figure herself out.
I won’t leave spoilers but I will say that I saw the end coming. I liked it but it was what I expected and wanted.

[Kimberlyisaddicted2books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I almost started a fire at how fast I turned these pages. I found myself in tears more than once and fought with the reality of what happens in the music industry shadowing this piece of art. Our characters are fierce, real, vulnerable and addictively finding their way in life.

We follow two characters - one a young and coming music manager, the other her first client, a teenage girl found on YouTube , who bolts to Britney Spears' level fame. What ensues is heart breaking and tragic and amazing all the same.

I couldn't put this book down and I couldn't not think about Alora when I did. This book is about women coming into their own surrounded by millions of yes people and dollars. The solutions were never outside themselves, the problems either.

This book is well written and the characters are relatable despite the obvious outside differences with most of the population, and I can't wait to read what she writes next.

[Emily Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read that kept me turning the pages, Darkening Song chronicles a young artist's rise to fame in the UK music industry all the way to international fame. A multi-POV between Alora - the artist, and Eva - her 18 year old record label intern turned manager. How do two young women navigate an male-dominated industry? How do they grow up in the spotlight amongst sex, drugs, and implications?

An attempt at a me too journey, Darkening Song did a lot of scratching the surface and not a lot of going deep in my opinion. I'd have preferred a deeper look at 1-2 events vs so many reveals. Still an entertaining read, and one that does pose some interesting questions about what we are willing to pay for success, and have you feeling deeply for each protagonist.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkening Song by Delphine Seddon and whew… this one is DARK and HEARTBREAKING in all the best ways. It follows Eva, a young manager, and Alora, the teen singer she discovers online, as they get pulled deep into the music industry machine. Fame hits fast- money, parties, pressure, all of it — but underneath the glitter it’s all about control, trauma, and the cost of turning a girl into a brand.

What really got me was the messy, complicated friendship between Eva and Alora. It’s about love, loyalty, bad decisions, and how ambition can make you miss the warning signs right in front of you. It’s raw, emotional, and very much girl-in-the-spotlight meets “this is what it really costs.” If you like dark, character-driven, music-soaked stories that don’t flinch away from heavy topics, this one is absolutely worth the read

[Cynthia Kumanchik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkening Song explores the music scene, with a teenage singer who sparks a movement—Misery Pop with tragic consequences. Family bonds are broken, predators are exposed, and reputations are shattered.

Two innocent young women enter a relationship as an agent and performer and struggle to handle fame, wealth, and the party lifestyle. Eva, an ambitious intern at Low Slang Records, discovers Alora, a musical prodigy on a social media site, and promotes her to the top of the charts. They maneuver their way, innocently, through the demands of the music industry and its fans, only to face the harsh realities.

Darkening Song is an engaging story with raw emotions, strong characters, and a list of beautiful songs. However, the novel wraps up with an unlikely ending.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkening Song follows Alora, a teen entering superstardom, and her not-much-older agent Eva as they navigate life and adulthood together. There were a lot of fun tropes in this one, for starters. You know when you're reading or watching about Hollywood, you always have the bigwig execs who kind of boss everyone around and act misogynistic and holier than thou? Well, this one didn't have that, which I found TRULY refreshing. This had touches of Girl, Interrupted with Magnolia Parks and the charm of Taylor Jenkins Reid novels mixed in. Some characters and plot unfortunately fell flat for me, but I enjoyed taking my time with and savoring this one as I followed both women's lives. Thank you to the author and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review an eARC.

[Linda Dominick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great example of getting the success you’ve dreamed about only to not know how to handle it. Alora and her manager are teenagers; they know nothing about the music business, and they get taken advantage of. Besides working together, they become good friends and are they’re for each other through the ups and downs. The book is fiction, but I think it shows a realistic view of a young singer’s life. Aside from the fame, Alora has a lot she’s going through with secrets from her past that seem to takeover in a way, that she cannot enjoy her success.
If you enjoy stories about music, bands, and trauma I recommend reading this one.

[Yvonne Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

When's the last time you had that feeling? That one where you want to cancel all plans and devour a book, yet at the same time you wanted to put it down and savor it like a very rich meal? Spacing it out so you have more to go?
This is one of those.
I loved this book. The bitter and the sweet and the in between.
Two young women, both having a lot to learn but propelled by emotion they maybe mistake as drive caught up in a one in a million situation.
I loved how gritty it was - while rooting for them both to succeed, I felt my shoulders tense up waiting for the crash and burn.
And wow, was there crash and also burn.
Not a fairy tale, nor a cautionary tale, it's a roller coaster.

[Jessica Milliner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about two young females going through so much especially in the music industry. Eva was an intern at a recording label and Alora is an aspiring singer. Eva takes matters into her own hands by being Alora’s manager. Alora was captured in the spotlight with her songs. Her life is now filled with paparazzi, parties, money, and fame. Also, Alora has a dark past and experiences mental health issues. This book shows that there’s life beyond the spotlight as well as dealing with the past and present. Also, the show of love, loss, and other things.

[Tammy Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eva is a lowly intern in the music industry when a friend sends her a clip of a young girl named Alora who has an amazing presence and voice to go with it. Almost accidentally, Eva stumbles in to being Alora’s manager and off we go. Told in alternating chapters, we see each girl’s point of view of their past and the present. Fame and fortune are never as great as they seem to be when you’re on the outside looking in. This gave some Daisy Jones vibes and moved along at a good pace.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkening Song by Delphine Seddon tells the story of Alora a rock star who ends up in rehab after a failed suicide attempt. She tells her story going forward. Her manager Eva who represents her tells the beginning of their relationship and story.

It’s a very compelling read. I did feel for Alora and Eva and what a rough industry the music business is. It’s a tough start with the attempt. The chapters alternate between Alora and Eva’s stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saturday Books for this ARC.

[Jenny Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a Good Reads giveaway (thank you) knowing this probably was not going to my my cup of tea. I typically read horror books.

With that being said, I really enjoyed this book. I burned through it in two days. It never felt rushed and I liked the different point of views from two characters involving one from the past and one from the present but they eventually come to the same point in time. Kept things fresh. There are some dark things mentioned but this book was really well done.

May need some editing as typos and extra words added.