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The Blackened Blade #3
Of Blackened Blood
Death continues to stalk me…
Enemies surrounding me at every corner,
wanting to pull the very seams of my new life apart.
But I’m no longer alone.
I’m surrounded by the men I love and new friends that I trust.
And our bonds are only growing stronger.
But the demons and nightmares of my past are resurfacing,
haunting our every move and attacking not only me,
but the people I love.
They’re cloaked in shadows and darkness,
creating more questions instead of revealing the answers we need.
But what hides in the dark, must come into the light eventually.
These blackened blades, strange marks and the very blood that runs through my veins, I’ll master them all and find the answers I need.
And when I do…my enemies will pay their debt in blood.
*Of Blackened Blood is the third book of The Blackened Blade series, and a paranormal why choose romance. It’s full of action, revenge and five dark and damaged love interests that the FMC will not have to choose between. It contains adult themes and bad-language throughout which some readers may find upsetting.*
506 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2025
About the author
Isla Davon
11 books1,980 followersIsla Davon is an Irish author who loves reading. Especially Paranormal Romance and Why Choose books. She enjoys creating stories with magic, strong female characters, and as many love interests as her mind can handle.
When she is not writing, she is spending time with her family and three Jack Russells. Or snuggling down to a good movie or Netflix binge with as much chocolate as she can eat.
Keep up to date on future books by following Isla on her Facebook group; Davons Shadows, or on her Tik Tok and Instagram; Author.isladavon.
When she is not writing, she is spending time with her family and three Jack Russells. Or snuggling down to a good movie or Netflix binge with as much chocolate as she can eat.
Keep up to date on future books by following Isla on her Facebook group; Davons Shadows, or on her Tik Tok and Instagram; Author.isladavon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 783 reviews
Did Not Finish
September 16, 2025dnf @ 20%
i tried, but it still doesn’t have the good vibes of book 1 😔 and the lack of communication is KILLING ME. because what do you mean you’re in love with them and acknowledge them as your mates, but refuse to tell them about your (very vital to the storyline!) past!!!
i tried, but it still doesn’t have the good vibes of book 1 😔 and the lack of communication is KILLING ME. because what do you mean you’re in love with them and acknowledge them as your mates, but refuse to tell them about your (very vital to the storyline!) past!!!
September 21, 2025
The point of this book, I have no clue…
-This should have been a duology at best a trilogy
-extremely slow-paced.
-repetitive, irrelevant, tedious and longwinded „talking points“ from each of the main POV‘s.
-Red’s inner monologue just wouldn’t end ….
-you‘re spoon fed the „plot“ throughout the book.
-you can skip 10 pages anywhere in the book and they’re still waffling on about nothing….. so every now then I just kept skipping.
- seriously nothing happens plot wise.
-200 pages too long.
-Needs tighter editing!
-3 books in and she’s still training not even a hint or smidge of revenge nothing to make Seria life difficult at all.
-disappointing filler book (I loved the first 2) I finished it begrudgingly.
No plot, just spice, training and inner monologuing from everyone.
-This should have been a duology at best a trilogy
-extremely slow-paced.
-repetitive, irrelevant, tedious and longwinded „talking points“ from each of the main POV‘s.
-Red’s inner monologue just wouldn’t end ….
-you‘re spoon fed the „plot“ throughout the book.
-you can skip 10 pages anywhere in the book and they’re still waffling on about nothing….. so every now then I just kept skipping.
- seriously nothing happens plot wise.
-200 pages too long.
-Needs tighter editing!
-3 books in and she’s still training not even a hint or smidge of revenge nothing to make Seria life difficult at all.
-disappointing filler book (I loved the first 2) I finished it begrudgingly.
No plot, just spice, training and inner monologuing from everyone.
July 16, 2025
*Edited to add now that the book has published*
This series just keeps on getting better! This book was really good in my opinion! While it still has some of the grrr stuff I didn’t like from the past two, I’m still giving it a 4.5⭐️ for my enjoyment level because I was hooked the entire way through! We get some answers and also more questions, Micai continues growing into her powers, there’s relationship development, we see more of Gadriel (and I hope we’ll be getting even more in the next book), and there’s lots of action! The ending is rough, though not quite as bad as the others. 100% recommend!
Since there are idiots giving 1 star reviews to a book that isn’t even out, I’m just going to leave this right here until I get to write an actual review AFTER THE BOOK COMES OUT. Love you Isla. Keep doing you!
This series just keeps on getting better! This book was really good in my opinion! While it still has some of the grrr stuff I didn’t like from the past two, I’m still giving it a 4.5⭐️ for my enjoyment level because I was hooked the entire way through! We get some answers and also more questions, Micai continues growing into her powers, there’s relationship development, we see more of Gadriel (and I hope we’ll be getting even more in the next book), and there’s lots of action! The ending is rough, though not quite as bad as the others. 100% recommend!
Since there are idiots giving 1 star reviews to a book that isn’t even out, I’m just going to leave this right here until I get to write an actual review AFTER THE BOOK COMES OUT. Love you Isla. Keep doing you!
June 22, 2025
I can’t count how many times I’ve reread the first two books can’t wait for the third :)
Edit: finished in a day loved it Annex my man my man my mannnnn, Mallyn has officially joined the harem, Creed & Gadriel next😼 I love this series can’t wait for the next instalment 🫶
Edit: finished in a day loved it Annex my man my man my mannnnn, Mallyn has officially joined the harem, Creed & Gadriel next😼 I love this series can’t wait for the next instalment 🫶
September 17, 2025
Boo. I’m just disappointed
——Unnecessary posturing—————plot——
|————————————————|————-|
I really enjoyed these books and I wanted to like this book too but NOTHING HAPPENED!
Micai hasn’t made any progress with Creed or Gadriel. 🙄
Morgan disappears too.
I liked the Micai who appreciates the guys but they don’t rule her, but by the end of this book she defaults to Creed. Pretty disappointing character development.
Lastly, there’s no revenge in this book. Micai keeps saying Serias going to get hers but the group is still so far behind. Maybe if they stop throwing tantrums every time Micai says something happened, they could actually get the plot moving.
——Unnecessary posturing—————plot——
|————————————————|————-|
I really enjoyed these books and I wanted to like this book too but NOTHING HAPPENED!
Micai hasn’t made any progress with Creed or Gadriel. 🙄
Morgan disappears too.
I liked the Micai who appreciates the guys but they don’t rule her, but by the end of this book she defaults to Creed. Pretty disappointing character development.
Lastly, there’s no revenge in this book. Micai keeps saying Serias going to get hers but the group is still so far behind. Maybe if they stop throwing tantrums every time Micai says something happened, they could actually get the plot moving.
September 16, 2025
I’m 20 percent in and nothing has happened. I get your mate is the most beautiful perfect woman alive. I need more plot and action. The story is not moving along at all. I feel like I waited a year for a filler book. We get she’s your mate, so it doesn’t need repeated multiples times a page 🙄
It’s nearly 30 percent in and Gadriel is just now making an appearance. Like 2 days have passed since the start of the book and they have accomplished nothing.
The last 20 percent the action finally picks up. Of course just when it’s getting good, it ends. This one was a little disappointing.
It’s nearly 30 percent in and Gadriel is just now making an appearance. Like 2 days have passed since the start of the book and they have accomplished nothing.
The last 20 percent the action finally picks up. Of course just when it’s getting good, it ends. This one was a little disappointing.
September 17, 2025
Read this in a day as I really wanted to find out what happens but super annoyed there’s a 4th book
The 2nd and 3rd books should’ve definitely been one book, found them super slow and it took so long to get any information in them. I loved the first book so much and how well written and paced it was but the others don’t feel the same at all
Hopefully the 4th one is great, I think it’ll have the same style as the first. This one was better than the 2nd book, we did get more information on the villains but because I think it’s been dragged out some parts just felt rehashed. Our sister is the same every time we see her and in the book we get injured again and end up unconscious for a few days which just happens too often for it to have an impact on the reader.
The 2nd and 3rd books should’ve definitely been one book, found them super slow and it took so long to get any information in them. I loved the first book so much and how well written and paced it was but the others don’t feel the same at all
Hopefully the 4th one is great, I think it’ll have the same style as the first. This one was better than the 2nd book, we did get more information on the villains but because I think it’s been dragged out some parts just felt rehashed. Our sister is the same every time we see her and in the book we get injured again and end up unconscious for a few days which just happens too often for it to have an impact on the reader.
July 15, 2025
There have been no ARCs released.
I don’t like it when we target an author unjustly. Seriously read the book then rate it. So I’m doing this because I dislike trolls. I’ll then add my review and rate it accordingly because I’ve read the other two I have no idea how many times. I should go and review the other two but I’m horrible about good reads - I’m better on insta.
I don’t like it when we target an author unjustly. Seriously read the book then rate it. So I’m doing this because I dislike trolls. I’ll then add my review and rate it accordingly because I’ve read the other two I have no idea how many times. I should go and review the other two but I’m horrible about good reads - I’m better on insta.
September 21, 2025
Disappointed (Big Spoilers)
I’m disappointed this is going beyond 3 books, considering book 2 was a lot of filler. I always try to forgive a mostly filler book in a trilogy if book 1 and 3 give me the needed start and closure. But 2 books with mostly filler, barely any progress, and another wait for a “maybe some progress/closure” book? It always feels like a wasted investment of my time.
In a nutshell, they now think they know the original clan behind everything and some of the teaching staff involved, but the gained knowledge is so minimal it’s kind of a joke. Creed finally starts to soften, but there is zero chemistry. Ezra has nightmares of the Facility. Knox breaks out from the spell of Seria and is hospitalized, but zero word on his well being and it feels like it’s thrown in the story as an afterthought. Big blow up at the end with 4 of the Infernal 4 getting blamed. Oh, and they FINALLY realize Seria is part of it.
Things I don’t get:
- Isaiah says he travelled the world to avenge Macai’s uncle and returned years later to realize Macai’s mom was gone and he lost her (but loved her), only to then tell Macai her mom loved her immensely and he could see it when she was pregnant, but how would he know if he was gone all those years? Just like how would he know how her dad was, if he wasn’t around? (Minor, I know, but it left a lot of holes for me).
- Gadrial dismissing a mate bond without a thought when his upbringing should have immediately helped him to recognize it, considering he thought about it constantly. Not playing on their chemistry was (imo) a huge misstep in the book.
- The constant withholding of full truth from Macai to her MATES after claiming she’s all in. Like that wouldn’t be important? It was annoying to me for her to be portrayed like this bad a** who was also great at finding clues to figure out the “mystery”, only for her to lack the comprehension of the magnitude of the failure to be honest.
Those are just a few things. I REALLY wanted to like this. I loved the 1st book and forgave the 2nd. But at this point, I don’t know if I will even remember the story enough in a year(ish) to want to continue to read it when book 4 comes out. Which is a shame, because as an avid reader, I can see the potential in Isla Davon. I won’t count out reading a different series, should they choose to write one. But I would definitely wait until the series was done to even try. I do hope they have great success, as writing is a craft, and I always appreciate the time, imagination, and effort needed to even put out 1 book.
I’m disappointed this is going beyond 3 books, considering book 2 was a lot of filler. I always try to forgive a mostly filler book in a trilogy if book 1 and 3 give me the needed start and closure. But 2 books with mostly filler, barely any progress, and another wait for a “maybe some progress/closure” book? It always feels like a wasted investment of my time.
In a nutshell, they now think they know the original clan behind everything and some of the teaching staff involved, but the gained knowledge is so minimal it’s kind of a joke. Creed finally starts to soften, but there is zero chemistry. Ezra has nightmares of the Facility. Knox breaks out from the spell of Seria and is hospitalized, but zero word on his well being and it feels like it’s thrown in the story as an afterthought. Big blow up at the end with 4 of the Infernal 4 getting blamed. Oh, and they FINALLY realize Seria is part of it.
Things I don’t get:
- Isaiah says he travelled the world to avenge Macai’s uncle and returned years later to realize Macai’s mom was gone and he lost her (but loved her), only to then tell Macai her mom loved her immensely and he could see it when she was pregnant, but how would he know if he was gone all those years? Just like how would he know how her dad was, if he wasn’t around? (Minor, I know, but it left a lot of holes for me).
- Gadrial dismissing a mate bond without a thought when his upbringing should have immediately helped him to recognize it, considering he thought about it constantly. Not playing on their chemistry was (imo) a huge misstep in the book.
- The constant withholding of full truth from Macai to her MATES after claiming she’s all in. Like that wouldn’t be important? It was annoying to me for her to be portrayed like this bad a** who was also great at finding clues to figure out the “mystery”, only for her to lack the comprehension of the magnitude of the failure to be honest.
Those are just a few things. I REALLY wanted to like this. I loved the 1st book and forgave the 2nd. But at this point, I don’t know if I will even remember the story enough in a year(ish) to want to continue to read it when book 4 comes out. Which is a shame, because as an avid reader, I can see the potential in Isla Davon. I won’t count out reading a different series, should they choose to write one. But I would definitely wait until the series was done to even try. I do hope they have great success, as writing is a craft, and I always appreciate the time, imagination, and effort needed to even put out 1 book.
September 20, 2025
I'm sorry, but this part was a disappointment and even extremely frustrating at points. The first half of the book felt like filler; unnecessary and not entertaining. It was hard to get through.
The FMC also seems to be getting dumber and dumber. It is stated several times that she has extreme trust issues, and you would think that with all her life experience, she would know better. Yet she is surprised every time she is betrayed and did not 'expect' this... while as a reader, you saw this coming from a mile away. With her track record, how is this surprising?
Not to mention, the lack of communication....
It is repeated again and again, just like in books 1 and 2, that 'she is no longer the same person as in her previous life', 'she is much stronger now', 'she will not put up with the bullying and torture anymore' and 'she will make sure they all pay for what they all did to her in her last life'. Apart from a half-hearted attempt, she has not succeeded so far, and especially with Seria, she just lets everything go again because 'We nEeD iNfOrMaTiOn!' Maybe don't kill everyone at all the attacks and question them first? Just thinking of it won't get you anywhere. And come on, FMC gets hit twice in the back of her head in the same book? I thought she was all powerful after all the rigorous training, but apparently, she has no awareness of her surroundings or the fact that smiling and 'nice' people may actually be evil.
I expected a revenge story, a tit-for-tat policy, but so far, apart from a few beatings, not much has happened. The FMC and her mates seem to be constantly getting the short end of the stick, and this is becoming tiring. There is hardly any progress, and it feels like a vicious circle with the repeats. No real questions were answered apart from a little bit of FMC's origins, but not much and some vague suspicions about who/what the Facility really is, but no real answers were given. The bracelets were no surprise...
I don't know whether I will continue with this series yet...
The FMC also seems to be getting dumber and dumber. It is stated several times that she has extreme trust issues, and you would think that with all her life experience, she would know better. Yet she is surprised every time she is betrayed and did not 'expect' this... while as a reader, you saw this coming from a mile away. With her track record, how is this surprising?
Not to mention, the lack of communication....
It is repeated again and again, just like in books 1 and 2, that 'she is no longer the same person as in her previous life', 'she is much stronger now', 'she will not put up with the bullying and torture anymore' and 'she will make sure they all pay for what they all did to her in her last life'. Apart from a half-hearted attempt, she has not succeeded so far, and especially with Seria, she just lets everything go again because 'We nEeD iNfOrMaTiOn!' Maybe don't kill everyone at all the attacks and question them first? Just thinking of it won't get you anywhere. And come on, FMC gets hit twice in the back of her head in the same book? I thought she was all powerful after all the rigorous training, but apparently, she has no awareness of her surroundings or the fact that smiling and 'nice' people may actually be evil.
I expected a revenge story, a tit-for-tat policy, but so far, apart from a few beatings, not much has happened. The FMC and her mates seem to be constantly getting the short end of the stick, and this is becoming tiring. There is hardly any progress, and it feels like a vicious circle with the repeats. No real questions were answered apart from a little bit of FMC's origins, but not much and some vague suspicions about who/what the Facility really is, but no real answers were given. The bracelets were no surprise...
I don't know whether I will continue with this series yet...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2026
2.5-2.75✨This is a harsh rating for me so let me say this honestly wasn’t bad, I just should’ve called this series as not for me the first time I dnf’ed but I chose to push through because I got book fomo it might get better… it didn’t.
I got over this immediately, I’ve heard 3 books of “I want my revenge” and fuck all of an actual plan, I’m tireddddd. I hear more about what she eats day to day than the fkn plot of her coming back for revenge!
I did like Micai most of the time, slay women kicking ass but at times she was annoying me so bad in this one. Micai suddenly got stupid as shit not seeing what’s right in front of her and inconsistent, she knows about dark magic then acts gobsmacked when said person was using dark magic???? Also, she preaches she loves her mates but hasn’t told them the truth of her whole entire plot of going back in time, 3 books in.
I do like the mmc’s, I mostly only wanted to finish this one to see how Gadriel comes into the story and there were moments but overall, yet again not a lot happened until the very end. I was also looking forward to the ex-best friend/potential boyfriends story line since book 1 but never mind it got butchered… again fk all happened except for poor Knox.
I got over this immediately, I’ve heard 3 books of “I want my revenge” and fuck all of an actual plan, I’m tireddddd. I hear more about what she eats day to day than the fkn plot of her coming back for revenge!
I did like Micai most of the time, slay women kicking ass but at times she was annoying me so bad in this one. Micai suddenly got stupid as shit not seeing what’s right in front of her and inconsistent, she knows about dark magic then acts gobsmacked when said person was using dark magic???? Also, she preaches she loves her mates but hasn’t told them the truth of her whole entire plot of going back in time, 3 books in.
I do like the mmc’s, I mostly only wanted to finish this one to see how Gadriel comes into the story and there were moments but overall, yet again not a lot happened until the very end. I was also looking forward to the ex-best friend/potential boyfriends story line since book 1 but never mind it got butchered… again fk all happened except for poor Knox.
September 16, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ why is the plot actually interesting? it reads like wattpad but i think i’m ok with it maybe..
main complaint is that first 70% nothing really happens (not even spice) so it was pretty draggy.. writer added all these tidbits that doesn’t get answered this book so i’m probs gonna forget by the next one which is annoying.
main complaint is that first 70% nothing really happens (not even spice) so it was pretty draggy.. writer added all these tidbits that doesn’t get answered this book so i’m probs gonna forget by the next one which is annoying.
September 22, 2025
Might be some non-pivotal spoilers at the end. So this book came out and naturally, I remembered the cliff hanger (🙄) but not much else so I reread the whole series. And distinctly remembered why I didn’t care for this series.
It’s so repetitive
“I’m not the same girl anymore” que dramatic exit
“Don’t let this happen again.” Post breaking someone’s finger/wrist, or kicking them.
“Eyes widened” post Micai performing the 1000th unbelievable miraculous thing
“Sexy” ugh
“Seria shows up and manipulates” we let this go
The whole book is praise about how wonderful, amazing, incredible, irresistible, awe inspiring, strong, selfless, witty, sexy 🙄, worthy, worshipful, and praise inducing female to ever live. So the same as the first two books.
Micai is a Mary sue. A flat, robotic, unoriginal, noncreative character who went from one extreme to another, (flashback of her “patheticness” to being a robot who can accomplish everything.)
There’s absolutely no growth and her drastic shift between personalities isn’t believable.
You can have every character’s point of view attempt to explain to me why Micai is outstanding and it just made me hate her more. It’s cheap and annoying reading the same scene from a different character’s point of view ONLY in an attempt to wax poetically about her beauty or prowess.
I don’t even buy the relationships anymore. And I literally just learned this is going to be 5 books? HOW? Books 2&3 have so far been fillers. Book 1 and 5 will be the only books with anything in them is my best guess.
This is the third book and we forgot the basis of the plot. The facility? Ring any bells? People go missing? Doesn’t make the connection until later? “Fesses” up about her “you might not believe me” past but doesn’t actually tell them the part of why it’s unbelievable?
Turns out the facility never was a secret and actually a known fairy tale? Why wait until know to bring that up?
Xander tries to kill her in-front of witnesses and she makes an excuse for him? Why? I thought after the 10th “I’m not the same girl anymore” we’d stop acting like the same girl? Why are all the bullying scenes the same and keep happening when she’s said “this won’t happen again” a plethora of times? Why is there an obvious interruption during important communications? Why is this girl some kind of all fight knowing ninja after fighting herself in an abandoned building and running a few laps? Why does she read like she has a massive superiority complex? Why are we still waiting to get rid of the sister? Why once again is the cliff hanger ending the most interesting thing in the whole book? Why can’t the author find other descriptive words? Why am I still here?
The concept of the story is interesting and why I picked it up in the first place obviously but the execution was a huge let down. I don’t think I’ll be continuing.
It’s so repetitive
“I’m not the same girl anymore” que dramatic exit
“Don’t let this happen again.” Post breaking someone’s finger/wrist, or kicking them.
“Eyes widened” post Micai performing the 1000th unbelievable miraculous thing
“Sexy” ugh
“Seria shows up and manipulates” we let this go
The whole book is praise about how wonderful, amazing, incredible, irresistible, awe inspiring, strong, selfless, witty, sexy 🙄, worthy, worshipful, and praise inducing female to ever live. So the same as the first two books.
Micai is a Mary sue. A flat, robotic, unoriginal, noncreative character who went from one extreme to another, (flashback of her “patheticness” to being a robot who can accomplish everything.)
There’s absolutely no growth and her drastic shift between personalities isn’t believable.
You can have every character’s point of view attempt to explain to me why Micai is outstanding and it just made me hate her more. It’s cheap and annoying reading the same scene from a different character’s point of view ONLY in an attempt to wax poetically about her beauty or prowess.
I don’t even buy the relationships anymore. And I literally just learned this is going to be 5 books? HOW? Books 2&3 have so far been fillers. Book 1 and 5 will be the only books with anything in them is my best guess.
This is the third book and we forgot the basis of the plot. The facility? Ring any bells? People go missing? Doesn’t make the connection until later? “Fesses” up about her “you might not believe me” past but doesn’t actually tell them the part of why it’s unbelievable?
Turns out the facility never was a secret and actually a known fairy tale? Why wait until know to bring that up?
Xander tries to kill her in-front of witnesses and she makes an excuse for him? Why? I thought after the 10th “I’m not the same girl anymore” we’d stop acting like the same girl? Why are all the bullying scenes the same and keep happening when she’s said “this won’t happen again” a plethora of times? Why is there an obvious interruption during important communications? Why is this girl some kind of all fight knowing ninja after fighting herself in an abandoned building and running a few laps? Why does she read like she has a massive superiority complex? Why are we still waiting to get rid of the sister? Why once again is the cliff hanger ending the most interesting thing in the whole book? Why can’t the author find other descriptive words? Why am I still here?
The concept of the story is interesting and why I picked it up in the first place obviously but the execution was a huge let down. I don’t think I’ll be continuing.
July 1, 2025
I like to give authors 3 chances before throwing them on the DNR trash pile, so here goes nothing. Third time should be the charm, right?
3% - Aside from how boring this chapter is already, did the author really decide to name her character BARATHEON? I'm sorry, but "borrowing" extremely well-known names from other authors is so tacky. This isn't as bad as another author who named her character Legolas, but it's pretty damn close.
8% - All this posturing over something relatively minor is ridiculous. You don't inspire loyalty by treating your men like shit because they *checks notes* don't fall to their knees to worship your girlfriend. This is some cringe wish fulfilment shit.
8% - The plot is so boring and the writing is so clunky that I have to skim or I'll lose my mind. Yup, it's an Isla Davon book.
9% - The author seems to think that good storytelling amounts to constantly informing us what everyone's eyebrows are doing. Brows are mentioned 208 times in this book.
10% - I really didn't miss all of this pointless internal monologuing. There is so much telling instead of showing.
12% - Knowing everything about The Facility could be the difference between life and death for them, and she's still keeping secrets. Micai, you are the dumbest bitch on earth.
19% - I still can't get over how cringe the dialogue is.
21% - Are we supposed to think Annex is cool when he threatens to stab people for bumping into him on a crowded dance floor? Yuck.
22% - This scene is like something out of a cheesy 80s action movie. Cartoon villain, check. Damsel in distress, check. Suspiciously easy beatdown, check. I can't possibly roll my eyes any harder.
25% - "His large tongue" EW. That is not sexy at all.
26% - "He then flips me on my back, lifting my hips toward him as my knees settle on the bed." ...what?
28% - Eyes are described as narrowing over 130 times in this book. Everyone's eyes and brows are constantly in motion. Please, for the love of all that is good, FIND A NEW THING.
29% - Gadriel is much more interesting when we don't have his POV (and every POV is an unending, repetitive internal monologue, because that's all the author has in her skill set). God, this is dull.
29% - A scoff and a bitter chuckle at the same time. Being around these people must be absolute agony. They're either standing in a circle narrowing their eyes and moving their brows at each other, or they're scoffing and chuckling.
29% - Eyes widen over 130 times in this book, often multiple times on the same page. But yeah, who needs a competent editor?
29% - Once again, eyes are narrowing and brows are furrowing. This is hell.
29% - After they're all done moving their eyes and brows, a new character enters the scene, and immediately her "dark brows pinch downward as she narrows her eyes." And she scoffs. Because of course she does.
30% - I DO NOT CARE WHAT THEIR BROWS ARE DOING. I DO NOT CARE THAT THEIR EYES ARE NARROWING AND THEN WIDENING AND THEN NARROWING AGAIN. STOP THIS MADNESS.
31% - Three books in, and Isla Davon still hasn't managed to shake her misogyny problem. Every female character not named Micai is either a sexual object or a cartoon villain.
31% - If you told me this was written by a middle school kid, I would not question it. That's how cheesy, over-the-top, and completely lacking in nuance it is.
32% - Hahahaha fucking hell, the next chapter literally begins with "My eyes narrow"
33% - "You shouldn't have directed your pathetic threats at our woman." He's her teacher, and she was late to class...fucking RELAX. When I describe the author's writing style as cringe wish fulfilment, this is exactly what I mean. It's like a 13-year-old's revenge fantasy against the mean teacher who dared to give them detention. Every time I think these books couldn't get any stupider, the author says BET.
33% - Annex is still the most repulsive and unsexy MMC ever written, so points for continuity I guess.
33% - If you were wondering whether everyone is still scoffing and furrowing their brows, the answer is yes. Why bother to have new ideas when Isla Davon can just copy and paste for 400 pages and her fans will eat it up anyway?
37% - In addition to everyone's overactive brows, we're also getting a tedious play-by-play of every single time someone's lips move. Lips are mentioned 548 times in this dumpster fire of a book. FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT.
39% - Even when she's trying to introduce a "good" female character, she has to point out how all other women are evil and jealous of Micai 🙄
39% - Brows are mentioned 4 times in half a page. JFC, lady.
42% - "A snarl coating his lips" "A dark smirk coating his thin lips". Does this author know what it means for something to be coated? Because my overwhelming feeling on every cursed page of this book is that words are Isla Davon's worst enemy.
46% - Micai, you are the last person who should be commenting on anyone else's lack of brain cells or personality. Well, maybe second to last after creepy dipshit Annex.
47% - The plot is so dumb. The characters are so dumb. Oh my god.
47% - This is actually unbearable.
50% - Knox literally had his mind and body violated for years, and his free will stripped away, but the author has to keep treating him like a villain, I guess, or Micai will lose her status as the Ultimate Victim.
51% - This seems like an attempt to retcon her relationship with the other guys. Nothing about this interpretation fits with how they treated her when they were kids. But she can't have two sets of mates, so one of them has to be demonized.
51% - "Knox's eyes widen before quickly narrowing." I feel like I've read this sentence a thousand times, and we're only at the halfway point.
55% - I'm sure I would enjoy this bonding scene between Mallyn and Micai if it was written by a competent storyteller, but it isn't, so
62% - Every POV is essentially the same, since the author only has one "voice" in her skill set, but being in Annex's head is somehow just a little bit worse than the others. I guess that counts as variety?
63% - I don't know how someone can have "annoying blonde hair" but I stopped trying to make sense of this author's choices a long time ago.
65% - It's impossible to take these mustache-twirling villains seriously. Every single one of them is a caricature.
65% - You know these guys are feeling super deep emotions because of how hard they're clenching their fists. Isla Davon has never met a tired cliché she didn't love, and proceed to repeat ad nauseam.
68% - More tedious macho posturing that adds nothing to the story.
70% - This is the most cringe and unfunny group of characters in existence, yet for some reason, they're all constantly chuckling and grinning at each other. I've yet to see anything actually amusing happen. Reading this shit is like being the only sober person when everyone else is drunk.
72% - The whole school turning against Micai is only believable if they're all under some kind of mind control. Otherwise, this is goofy as hell.
72% - There's no such thing as a regular laugh in this universe. It's dark chuckles or nothing. You know, like a demented clown.
72% - The repetitive nature of Isla Davon's writing needs to be studied. How many times can she copy and paste the same cringe argument between the same dumbfuck characters and get away with it?
72% - In Isla Davon's world, you know these are the villains because they have thin lips. As we all know, only bad people have thin lips.
73% - Micai, you've been proclaiming I won't take this shit anymore! for three straight books now. You can beat up sleazy guys in clubs, great, but you're still letting your sister run your life. Either do something or shut the fuck up.
74% - The teachers are out to get her, too. Of course they are. How can Micai defend her title of World's Biggest Victim unless literally everyone in her vicinity hates her guts and is conspiring against her?
75% - I can't take any more of this pity party. It's so overwrought. And if you were wondering whether everyone's eyes are still widening and narrowing as their brows furrow, they sure are!
77% - For my own peace of mind, I have to believe this was written by AI. There's no way a rational human with a working brain came up with this and thought, "This is fine for human consumption!"
79% - Every Annex POV tests the upper limits of cringe, but this one might take the prize.
83% - There was a boring group sex scene that I skipped, and now she's eating cereal and flirting with Creed. It's all very cheesy and badly written.
84% - Three back-to-back sentences mention what their lips are doing. Even once was unnecessary. This isn't an adequate substitute for character development!
84% - More scoffing, eye narrowing, and brow furrowing. In fact, it's on damn near every page, but if I stopped to make a note of it, I wouldn't get anything else done. This author cannot write for shit.
87% - I'm skimming to rush to the end at this point. Every page is literally just "He glared" "My brows furrowed" "His eyes narrowed" "A chuckle leaves my lips" "A grin tilt his lips" over and over again, and I can't take it anymore.
94% - Another teacher turns on her, because of course Micai is the sole obsession of everyone on this campus. Dark chuckles and bitter scoffs ensue, blah blah.
94% - I suppose all of this action should be exciting, but it's not, because unfortunately Isla Davon writes like someone who doesn't even like to read.
95% - I've said this before, but it bears repeating because Isla Davon is 3 books deep and still hasn't learned this relatively simple lesson: a relentless internal monologue in which the main character asks herself questions IS NOT GOOD STORYTELLING.
97% - I don't care about any of this. All of these characters can die. This is a terrible book.
99% - What I'm gathering from this section is that Ezra is remembering what happened in the other timeline. My expectations were low, so I'm not giving her too much credit, but the author finally did something mildly interesting. Too bad it's too little, way too late, and will likely be mismanaged and wasted in subsequent books, because ISLA DAVON IS A TERRIBLE WRITER.
100% - Thank god that's over. The relief I'm feeling right now is immeasurable. I'm also reconsidering the frankly abusive reading goals I've been setting myself. It's okay to DNF, and it's okay to decide after just one book if an author is untalented and unlikely to improve. If you can't even get the basics right and you don't have the self-awareness to know that you're not ready for publication, what hope is there for you?
0/10 would not even recommend to my worst enemy
3% - Aside from how boring this chapter is already, did the author really decide to name her character BARATHEON? I'm sorry, but "borrowing" extremely well-known names from other authors is so tacky. This isn't as bad as another author who named her character Legolas, but it's pretty damn close.
8% - All this posturing over something relatively minor is ridiculous. You don't inspire loyalty by treating your men like shit because they *checks notes* don't fall to their knees to worship your girlfriend. This is some cringe wish fulfilment shit.
8% - The plot is so boring and the writing is so clunky that I have to skim or I'll lose my mind. Yup, it's an Isla Davon book.
9% - The author seems to think that good storytelling amounts to constantly informing us what everyone's eyebrows are doing. Brows are mentioned 208 times in this book.
10% - I really didn't miss all of this pointless internal monologuing. There is so much telling instead of showing.
12% - Knowing everything about The Facility could be the difference between life and death for them, and she's still keeping secrets. Micai, you are the dumbest bitch on earth.
19% - I still can't get over how cringe the dialogue is.
21% - Are we supposed to think Annex is cool when he threatens to stab people for bumping into him on a crowded dance floor? Yuck.
22% - This scene is like something out of a cheesy 80s action movie. Cartoon villain, check. Damsel in distress, check. Suspiciously easy beatdown, check. I can't possibly roll my eyes any harder.
25% - "His large tongue" EW. That is not sexy at all.
26% - "He then flips me on my back, lifting my hips toward him as my knees settle on the bed." ...what?
28% - Eyes are described as narrowing over 130 times in this book. Everyone's eyes and brows are constantly in motion. Please, for the love of all that is good, FIND A NEW THING.
29% - Gadriel is much more interesting when we don't have his POV (and every POV is an unending, repetitive internal monologue, because that's all the author has in her skill set). God, this is dull.
29% - A scoff and a bitter chuckle at the same time. Being around these people must be absolute agony. They're either standing in a circle narrowing their eyes and moving their brows at each other, or they're scoffing and chuckling.
29% - Eyes widen over 130 times in this book, often multiple times on the same page. But yeah, who needs a competent editor?
29% - Once again, eyes are narrowing and brows are furrowing. This is hell.
29% - After they're all done moving their eyes and brows, a new character enters the scene, and immediately her "dark brows pinch downward as she narrows her eyes." And she scoffs. Because of course she does.
30% - I DO NOT CARE WHAT THEIR BROWS ARE DOING. I DO NOT CARE THAT THEIR EYES ARE NARROWING AND THEN WIDENING AND THEN NARROWING AGAIN. STOP THIS MADNESS.
31% - Three books in, and Isla Davon still hasn't managed to shake her misogyny problem. Every female character not named Micai is either a sexual object or a cartoon villain.
31% - If you told me this was written by a middle school kid, I would not question it. That's how cheesy, over-the-top, and completely lacking in nuance it is.
32% - Hahahaha fucking hell, the next chapter literally begins with "My eyes narrow"
33% - "You shouldn't have directed your pathetic threats at our woman." He's her teacher, and she was late to class...fucking RELAX. When I describe the author's writing style as cringe wish fulfilment, this is exactly what I mean. It's like a 13-year-old's revenge fantasy against the mean teacher who dared to give them detention. Every time I think these books couldn't get any stupider, the author says BET.
33% - Annex is still the most repulsive and unsexy MMC ever written, so points for continuity I guess.
33% - If you were wondering whether everyone is still scoffing and furrowing their brows, the answer is yes. Why bother to have new ideas when Isla Davon can just copy and paste for 400 pages and her fans will eat it up anyway?
37% - In addition to everyone's overactive brows, we're also getting a tedious play-by-play of every single time someone's lips move. Lips are mentioned 548 times in this dumpster fire of a book. FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT.
39% - Even when she's trying to introduce a "good" female character, she has to point out how all other women are evil and jealous of Micai 🙄
39% - Brows are mentioned 4 times in half a page. JFC, lady.
42% - "A snarl coating his lips" "A dark smirk coating his thin lips". Does this author know what it means for something to be coated? Because my overwhelming feeling on every cursed page of this book is that words are Isla Davon's worst enemy.
46% - Micai, you are the last person who should be commenting on anyone else's lack of brain cells or personality. Well, maybe second to last after creepy dipshit Annex.
47% - The plot is so dumb. The characters are so dumb. Oh my god.
47% - This is actually unbearable.
50% - Knox literally had his mind and body violated for years, and his free will stripped away, but the author has to keep treating him like a villain, I guess, or Micai will lose her status as the Ultimate Victim.
51% - This seems like an attempt to retcon her relationship with the other guys. Nothing about this interpretation fits with how they treated her when they were kids. But she can't have two sets of mates, so one of them has to be demonized.
51% - "Knox's eyes widen before quickly narrowing." I feel like I've read this sentence a thousand times, and we're only at the halfway point.
55% - I'm sure I would enjoy this bonding scene between Mallyn and Micai if it was written by a competent storyteller, but it isn't, so
62% - Every POV is essentially the same, since the author only has one "voice" in her skill set, but being in Annex's head is somehow just a little bit worse than the others. I guess that counts as variety?
63% - I don't know how someone can have "annoying blonde hair" but I stopped trying to make sense of this author's choices a long time ago.
65% - It's impossible to take these mustache-twirling villains seriously. Every single one of them is a caricature.
65% - You know these guys are feeling super deep emotions because of how hard they're clenching their fists. Isla Davon has never met a tired cliché she didn't love, and proceed to repeat ad nauseam.
68% - More tedious macho posturing that adds nothing to the story.
70% - This is the most cringe and unfunny group of characters in existence, yet for some reason, they're all constantly chuckling and grinning at each other. I've yet to see anything actually amusing happen. Reading this shit is like being the only sober person when everyone else is drunk.
72% - The whole school turning against Micai is only believable if they're all under some kind of mind control. Otherwise, this is goofy as hell.
72% - There's no such thing as a regular laugh in this universe. It's dark chuckles or nothing. You know, like a demented clown.
72% - The repetitive nature of Isla Davon's writing needs to be studied. How many times can she copy and paste the same cringe argument between the same dumbfuck characters and get away with it?
72% - In Isla Davon's world, you know these are the villains because they have thin lips. As we all know, only bad people have thin lips.
73% - Micai, you've been proclaiming I won't take this shit anymore! for three straight books now. You can beat up sleazy guys in clubs, great, but you're still letting your sister run your life. Either do something or shut the fuck up.
74% - The teachers are out to get her, too. Of course they are. How can Micai defend her title of World's Biggest Victim unless literally everyone in her vicinity hates her guts and is conspiring against her?
75% - I can't take any more of this pity party. It's so overwrought. And if you were wondering whether everyone's eyes are still widening and narrowing as their brows furrow, they sure are!
77% - For my own peace of mind, I have to believe this was written by AI. There's no way a rational human with a working brain came up with this and thought, "This is fine for human consumption!"
79% - Every Annex POV tests the upper limits of cringe, but this one might take the prize.
83% - There was a boring group sex scene that I skipped, and now she's eating cereal and flirting with Creed. It's all very cheesy and badly written.
84% - Three back-to-back sentences mention what their lips are doing. Even once was unnecessary. This isn't an adequate substitute for character development!
84% - More scoffing, eye narrowing, and brow furrowing. In fact, it's on damn near every page, but if I stopped to make a note of it, I wouldn't get anything else done. This author cannot write for shit.
87% - I'm skimming to rush to the end at this point. Every page is literally just "He glared" "My brows furrowed" "His eyes narrowed" "A chuckle leaves my lips" "A grin tilt his lips" over and over again, and I can't take it anymore.
94% - Another teacher turns on her, because of course Micai is the sole obsession of everyone on this campus. Dark chuckles and bitter scoffs ensue, blah blah.
94% - I suppose all of this action should be exciting, but it's not, because unfortunately Isla Davon writes like someone who doesn't even like to read.
95% - I've said this before, but it bears repeating because Isla Davon is 3 books deep and still hasn't learned this relatively simple lesson: a relentless internal monologue in which the main character asks herself questions IS NOT GOOD STORYTELLING.
97% - I don't care about any of this. All of these characters can die. This is a terrible book.
99% - What I'm gathering from this section is that Ezra is remembering what happened in the other timeline. My expectations were low, so I'm not giving her too much credit, but the author finally did something mildly interesting. Too bad it's too little, way too late, and will likely be mismanaged and wasted in subsequent books, because ISLA DAVON IS A TERRIBLE WRITER.
100% - Thank god that's over. The relief I'm feeling right now is immeasurable. I'm also reconsidering the frankly abusive reading goals I've been setting myself. It's okay to DNF, and it's okay to decide after just one book if an author is untalented and unlikely to improve. If you can't even get the basics right and you don't have the self-awareness to know that you're not ready for publication, what hope is there for you?
0/10 would not even recommend to my worst enemy
September 21, 2025
I was incredibly disappointed by this book. The series has a great premise, and I liked the first book, but by this point, I simply expect more out of the plot progression, character development, and the writing in general. I have been annoyed by the editing in this series, but the beginning of this book in particular had a lot of issues with tense, and I feel like throughout the book the narration focused too much on telling instead of showing. I really struggled with the overly hostile descriptions of everyone - nearly all the POVs referred to characters external to the Infernal Four as an ass, usually for no reason other than that they weren’t nice to Micai, and it just wasn’t descriptive.
Also, at this point, Micai has had a solid two books worth of opportunities to come clean to her mates about her past and The Facility, and the fact that she’s refusing to do so shows a weird lack of trust for the people she insists she would do anything for. I’m not sure why this book couldn’t have been combined with the second, and I really wish there had been significantly more progression with Micai’s powers, the plot, and Micai’s bonds. At this point, I’m way too frustrated to continue with the series.
Also, at this point, Micai has had a solid two books worth of opportunities to come clean to her mates about her past and The Facility, and the fact that she’s refusing to do so shows a weird lack of trust for the people she insists she would do anything for. I’m not sure why this book couldn’t have been combined with the second, and I really wish there had been significantly more progression with Micai’s powers, the plot, and Micai’s bonds. At this point, I’m way too frustrated to continue with the series.
September 17, 2025
what the FUCK?
I'm not gonna say much else besides MIIIIID. I'm not gonna continue the series because every one of these so far has had unnecessary filler and minimal plot.
The cliffhangers are also just so overused and do not pack the punch they're supposed to.
I'm not gonna say much else besides MIIIIID. I'm not gonna continue the series because every one of these so far has had unnecessary filler and minimal plot.
The cliffhangers are also just so overused and do not pack the punch they're supposed to.
September 18, 2025
I think I’m done with this series.
I loved the first book thinking we’ll get a revenge plot filled with action. We got a doormat heroine who thinks more about having sex with her boyfriends than to find answers and make people pay.
The author purposely drags the story because she wants 5 books. That plot doesn’t need 5 books.
Like for the first two book, there wasn’t enough dialogues, confrontations or any development. The books are filled to the brim with inner monologue.
Micai « I want to tell them everything but I can’t yet » remains exhausting.
She has 3 (THREEEEEE) interactions with her sister here. What a ridiculous thing!!!
I’m also sick of adding new characters because once again, when you promise 5 books with not enough plot you need filler. And what’s the best filler? Useless characters with the tiniest info.
I really thought the first book would have opened a fun and epic story. I wanted to learn more about Micai’s father and step-mother (why is super Micai not thinking that a 13 years old Seriah was helped and encouraged by her mother?). In what world does it make sense to have an actual kid be this smart? Me think Micai is a dumb girl and not the ninja heroine everyone think she is.
We learn finally what the super people who hurt Micai are called. That’s it. Just their name… the author put less flavor in her books than a white cooking chef in their cooking.
I loved the first book thinking we’ll get a revenge plot filled with action. We got a doormat heroine who thinks more about having sex with her boyfriends than to find answers and make people pay.
The author purposely drags the story because she wants 5 books. That plot doesn’t need 5 books.
Like for the first two book, there wasn’t enough dialogues, confrontations or any development. The books are filled to the brim with inner monologue.
Micai « I want to tell them everything but I can’t yet » remains exhausting.
She has 3 (THREEEEEE) interactions with her sister here. What a ridiculous thing!!!
I’m also sick of adding new characters because once again, when you promise 5 books with not enough plot you need filler. And what’s the best filler? Useless characters with the tiniest info.
I really thought the first book would have opened a fun and epic story. I wanted to learn more about Micai’s father and step-mother (why is super Micai not thinking that a 13 years old Seriah was helped and encouraged by her mother?). In what world does it make sense to have an actual kid be this smart? Me think Micai is a dumb girl and not the ninja heroine everyone think she is.
We learn finally what the super people who hurt Micai are called. That’s it. Just their name… the author put less flavor in her books than a white cooking chef in their cooking.
September 18, 2025
Filler book addition..
Another series that lost my interest with the villain still being drag on. Lots of telling and self monologues of each MMC. Annoyed that this book was just a filler of lots of sexy time, talks of how great the unknown villain, and the danger hunting the heroine. The evil sister is kept alive and then on and on about trying to find the enemy. Disappointed that this book was added to drag the series. This was not needed in my opinion. The ending with the all powerful MMC being imprisoned was a joke of an ending. Annoyed book three was a weak addition. Should have skipped this one. Done on this series.
Another series that lost my interest with the villain still being drag on. Lots of telling and self monologues of each MMC. Annoyed that this book was just a filler of lots of sexy time, talks of how great the unknown villain, and the danger hunting the heroine. The evil sister is kept alive and then on and on about trying to find the enemy. Disappointed that this book was added to drag the series. This was not needed in my opinion. The ending with the all powerful MMC being imprisoned was a joke of an ending. Annoyed book three was a weak addition. Should have skipped this one. Done on this series.
September 18, 2025
I really love all of the characters, and the storyline is fun and exciting. The reason for giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that it is very long-winded and repetitive. I was skipping whole paragraphs because it was something I had already read several times or just an over explanation that was not needed. I really enjoyed the book, though, and can not wait for the next one.
September 20, 2025
I hate to say this, but this was a big disappointment. i don’t know how a book can be over 400 pages and have so little happen. I think Isla Davon has such a great story idea, but she needs a solid developmental edit to really tease out the story and character development. A lot of it fell flat. There are so many impassioned declarations between Micah and the guys that they became repetitive. We learned more about Gadriel, but his relationship with Micai doesn’t progress much. Annex and Mallyn are obsessed with Micai and protecting her is basically their whole personality. There is a completely random spicy scene that has no real lead up. It’s basically like the author realized that RH means there should be scenes with multiple guys and just tossed it in. We don’t learn much about what the guys are up and why. Micai doesn’t come clean about her future/past. There is very little forward movement and I found myself struggling to pay attention as a result. Nothing substantive happened with Seria. Nothing significant happened with Creed. We did get more information about Micai’s mother and her family, so that was something, I guess.
Overall, I don’t think this is worth it. I might read the next book, but I really hope the author is able to enlist some resources to help with editing. Especially because she someone managed to use the word “lips” more than 500 times. “A smile curves my lips” “a _____ leaves my lips”. Somehow, it’s getting worse each book.
Overall, I don’t think this is worth it. I might read the next book, but I really hope the author is able to enlist some resources to help with editing. Especially because she someone managed to use the word “lips” more than 500 times. “A smile curves my lips” “a _____ leaves my lips”. Somehow, it’s getting worse each book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2025
2.75⭐️This felt repetitive with wayyy too many internal monologues and not enough plot or character development. It also it pains me that we’re 3 books in and our fmc is still keeping important information about her past a secret from her mates 🙃
September 20, 2025
Love this series
September 23, 2025
Why? There are more questions asked than answered. If the author would Fokus a little bit more on plot and relationship then writing pages and pages about little aggressions from irrelevant side characters this story would come to certain turning points. Like this just nothing happens and I'm quite unsatisfied after 400+ pages.
But of course I'll read the next book, because I want to know how this whole plot comes to an end.
But of course I'll read the next book, because I want to know how this whole plot comes to an end.
September 16, 2025
Just finished book 3. Tbh I fell in love with this series because of how well book 1 was written, the storyline, and how interesting it was about the whole plot in book 1. But book 3 ( of blackened blood ) did not give the urge to keep reading it. I was waiting every day for 3 months since I finished the first 2 books, but it lacked in so many places, and so many unnecessary chapters and lines.
The author could reduce the meaningless conversation in the next book and focus on the plot. Nothing new revealed in this book apart what we already know about the storyline from the previous books. Somethings are revealed only on the final chapters. Even the revealings of the person behind those beast attacks felt a little rushed rather than the story working towards it. You'll only find much matters about people related to The Facility only towards the final chapters. Nearly 500 pages book but it contained only little new things to take and learn about the story... maybe the author can give us somewhat interesting in the next book and cut down useless conversations bw MLs and FL. But overall it was a good read finished in a day.
I'm totally here for the story, because it felt refreshing reading the book 1. Mainly because the FL never tolerates the no nonsense behaviors and not acting like I'm all confident ,strong and independent but breakdown down at little difficulties. Story line can be improved in the future. I reallyyyyy want the book 1 vibe in the upcoming books in this series.
The author could reduce the meaningless conversation in the next book and focus on the plot. Nothing new revealed in this book apart what we already know about the storyline from the previous books. Somethings are revealed only on the final chapters. Even the revealings of the person behind those beast attacks felt a little rushed rather than the story working towards it. You'll only find much matters about people related to The Facility only towards the final chapters. Nearly 500 pages book but it contained only little new things to take and learn about the story... maybe the author can give us somewhat interesting in the next book and cut down useless conversations bw MLs and FL. But overall it was a good read finished in a day.
I'm totally here for the story, because it felt refreshing reading the book 1. Mainly because the FL never tolerates the no nonsense behaviors and not acting like I'm all confident ,strong and independent but breakdown down at little difficulties. Story line can be improved in the future. I reallyyyyy want the book 1 vibe in the upcoming books in this series.
September 18, 2025
Disappointed in this one. The plot dragged and there was not a lot of action or forward movement. While the FMC’s bonds with the Infernal 4 grew… the whole ongoing monologues of how she’s so amazing and beautiful and their whole world was so annoying. The touch her and die monologues… same!
It was the whole book! I mean, we get it already… hope we get more plot development in book 4.
It was the whole book! I mean, we get it already… hope we get more plot development in book 4.
October 8, 2025
Too Little, Too Late: A Long-Awaited Plot Can't Salvage a Flawed Series
The third installment in The Blackened Blade series, Of Blackened Blood, finally—finally—begins to tug at the threads of its long-dormant central mystery. After two books of romantic entanglements and academy drama, we are granted glimpses of the actual plot, including crucial story background and history. For readers who have been desperately waiting for this, it’s a welcome, if frustrating, development. The primary feeling it evokes, however, is one of profound disappointment that it took this long to arrive. A foundation that should have been laid in Book One is only now being sketched out in Book Three, making the entire series feel structurally unbalanced.
While the narrative shifts slightly more toward action, the core loop remains disappointingly familiar: Micai trains, fights monsters, and demonstrates her incredible strength. However, this newfound competence is contradicted by baffling plot-induced clumsiness. Despite her "advanced hearing and senses," honed over three books, she is repeatedly and easily snuck up on and knocked out by weaker characters. This inconsistency feels less like a character flaw and more like a lazy mechanism to create artificial tension or set up a rescue, undermining her development and the reader's belief in her abilities.
But the most jarring and persistent issue remains the author's bizarrely repetitive descriptive style. The obsession with Micai's "blue eyes" reaches a crescendo in this book, becoming a relentless refrain. In chapters from her love interests' points of view, the narrative fixation expands to include her "pouty cute little lips." The descriptions are not just frequent; they are redundant, occurring multiple times within a single chapter and adding nothing to character or scene. What felt like a quirk in Book One has become a debilitating distraction in Book Three, suggesting an authorial fixation that borders on fetishization and severely hampers the prose.
Ultimately, Of Blackened Blood is a book of contradictions. It offers a taste of the plot we were promised, but so late that it feels like an apology for the first two books. It portrays its heroine as powerful, but repeatedly makes her vulnerable in nonsensical ways. It tries to build a serious fantasy world but constantly pulls the reader out with its immature and repetitive descriptions.
Verdict: While the forward momentum in the overarching story is a net positive, it is too little, too late. The persistent, deal-breaking flaws in character consistency and descriptive prose make this third entry a chore to read. For a series that has asked for so much patience, it offers too little reward, solidifying its reputation as a promising concept marred by frustrating execution.
The third installment in The Blackened Blade series, Of Blackened Blood, finally—finally—begins to tug at the threads of its long-dormant central mystery. After two books of romantic entanglements and academy drama, we are granted glimpses of the actual plot, including crucial story background and history. For readers who have been desperately waiting for this, it’s a welcome, if frustrating, development. The primary feeling it evokes, however, is one of profound disappointment that it took this long to arrive. A foundation that should have been laid in Book One is only now being sketched out in Book Three, making the entire series feel structurally unbalanced.
While the narrative shifts slightly more toward action, the core loop remains disappointingly familiar: Micai trains, fights monsters, and demonstrates her incredible strength. However, this newfound competence is contradicted by baffling plot-induced clumsiness. Despite her "advanced hearing and senses," honed over three books, she is repeatedly and easily snuck up on and knocked out by weaker characters. This inconsistency feels less like a character flaw and more like a lazy mechanism to create artificial tension or set up a rescue, undermining her development and the reader's belief in her abilities.
But the most jarring and persistent issue remains the author's bizarrely repetitive descriptive style. The obsession with Micai's "blue eyes" reaches a crescendo in this book, becoming a relentless refrain. In chapters from her love interests' points of view, the narrative fixation expands to include her "pouty cute little lips." The descriptions are not just frequent; they are redundant, occurring multiple times within a single chapter and adding nothing to character or scene. What felt like a quirk in Book One has become a debilitating distraction in Book Three, suggesting an authorial fixation that borders on fetishization and severely hampers the prose.
Ultimately, Of Blackened Blood is a book of contradictions. It offers a taste of the plot we were promised, but so late that it feels like an apology for the first two books. It portrays its heroine as powerful, but repeatedly makes her vulnerable in nonsensical ways. It tries to build a serious fantasy world but constantly pulls the reader out with its immature and repetitive descriptions.
Verdict: While the forward momentum in the overarching story is a net positive, it is too little, too late. The persistent, deal-breaking flaws in character consistency and descriptive prose make this third entry a chore to read. For a series that has asked for so much patience, it offers too little reward, solidifying its reputation as a promising concept marred by frustrating execution.
January 26, 2026
DNFd at 80%
Did Not Finish
November 18, 2025dnf @ 10%
So I picked this book up because I’ve been in quite a long reading slump and I remembered that I really liked the first two books in the series and wanted to read the third book as soon as it came out. But as I started this book I realized I do not remember a single thing that’s happened in the first two books, I don’t even remember any of the characters or their personalities, let alone the plot. 😭 So yeah dnf’ing it.
So I picked this book up because I’ve been in quite a long reading slump and I remembered that I really liked the first two books in the series and wanted to read the third book as soon as it came out. But as I started this book I realized I do not remember a single thing that’s happened in the first two books, I don’t even remember any of the characters or their personalities, let alone the plot. 😭 So yeah dnf’ing it.
September 19, 2025
fantastic
Another fantastic instalment of one of my favourite series full of spice action and humour and finally some answers but also a lot more questions.
Another fantastic instalment of one of my favourite series full of spice action and humour and finally some answers but also a lot more questions.
September 17, 2025
3 ⭐️/2 🌶️—While the premise for the series is interesting, the pacing, characterization, and writing need work. This really dragged at times and for the length of the book, very little happened.
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