The Darkest Duet

The Cursed Melodies #2

by Connie Glynn

The ocean is calling...

With the return of the evil Shadowling, Astrid, Jonas, and Gwen are faced with a new by order of the Queen, they are sent on a top-secret journey across the sea to retrieve ancient weapons that the Bloom Bloods hope can stop the Shadowling once and for all.

Gwen and the twins set off, but it’s not all plain sailing. When their ship is jeopardised, they must turn to an unlikely source for help, and worst of all, a certain royal shipmate keeps pestering them.

They will soon learn that the sea is full of wild and untameable magic – magic that could reveal answers the twins have been searching for their whole lives. With their rag-tag crew and the fate of the world at stake, who can they trust? And what terrible things might be waiting for them in the deep?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2026

About the author

Connie Glynn is an English author and YouTuber. Her debut novel Undercover Princess, the first in The Rosewood Chronicles, was published in 2017.
Glynn is also known for her YouTube videos on the channel Noodlerella. She provided the voice for the character Moxie Dewdrop in the UK cinema version of Dreamworks' Trolls.

Reviews

[Cyd’s Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.25-4.5 stars.

I feel like I may have missed some crucial details in book 1 because book 2 makes it clear this is a retelling of sorts and I love this. I really enjoy the use of magic and song, the characters with their complex motivations and devotion to one another and the interesting plot with all its layers.

I’m such a huge fan of Astrid, I like all the characters even Teddy but yeah Astrid is a real fav with her bold confidence and witty sarcastic nature. To see how her journey twists and turns alongside her twins is going to be chaotic in the next book, and I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds. I believe in Gwen as much as Astrid does at this point.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in the series and The Darkest Duet certainly didn't disappoint. I loved carrying on the story with the characters and I loved the author's writing style. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.

[Emiilyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Connie Glynn and her work. I'm just not 100% sure on this one. I can't wait for the last book in the series though!

[Matthew Hares · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many twists and turns. Couldn’t put the book down in the end. Look forward to next one.

[Gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley review;

The second book in the ‘the cursed melodies’ trilogy.

Shorter than the first but still thrilling! The continuation of the journey to defeating the shadowing but there are many obstacles in the way and so much betrayal and quite a few twists, one I sort of saw coming but one that I didn’t even thing about. I did enjoy it, it did take me a bit of time to try and remember what happened before but I eventually got there.

We see how the bond between these three goes from strength to strength to also heartbreak. Putting the story on the seas gives it a bit of a different look on where this story is going and the world that is created around it. There are many funny moments but there are also frantic moments too that make you think who can you really trust.

Now with the story coming full circle I only have a few questions, will we find the twins parents, now that we know what they are? What of Gwen’s parents also? Will we get a happy ending or will our hearts be ripped out?

Sorry if this review sounds a bit everywhere, suffering with a bit of a flare up.

[loosuntzu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Darkest Duet is the sequel to The Cursed Melodies, and is the latest book to break my little heart. If you've followed me for a lil while, I'm sure you know how much I love Connie's work, but eeeesh did this take the cake. Such a beautiful and heartbreaking book! What a day to finish it too, as it's the same day the manuscript for the third book got submitted... Can I have it now, please?<33

Idek what to say in this review other than !!!AAAAAAA!!! Connie Glynn is so good at what they do. The descriptions in this book are stunning, the characters are so fleshed out, and the cliffhanger at the end of this beauty is something to be studied. I will be absolutely chomping at the bit until book #3 is released next year!

And, finally, before I leave you. Take a quote from the book that made me cry: 'You have to see it, Gwen. You are the good in the world. You shine with it. You are love and light and hope in human form, and you don't even know.' <33

[Eponine Montaigu · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought after finishing it : "I support women's rights but also women's wrongs". I just love Astrid's development and the way her relationship with her twin is also changing.
Gwen and Jonas' friendship is really becoming interesting !
I just had a hard time with all the names and the background of the story. I could see this story being a tv show/animated show but sometimes in the book format, it's hard to keep up ! I got confused with the characters names and I should have read the first book before starting this one !
Loved the audiobook, Connie's voice was soothing and I loved when she changed the tone for each character.

[Eva Farnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS
THAT CLIFFHANGER, i don't know where to begin the one thing I do know is that I need that third book now because I mean that is something. I do hope Astrid gets saved and they kiss eachother (her and Gwen) and I am glad teddy and Jonas are a thing but my days that ending I can't wait for the next one

[Romana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie...what was that ending??

[Lily Clancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!! I loved every second of it! Plot twists were impeccable and vibes were immaculate!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Holly]

got really good at the end

[Zara B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now the question is where is book 3 ? When ? Because that is just a wicked cliffhanger to leave us on.