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Nights of Gold and Gods
A Dark Past.
Ronan wakes from a three-day coma to find his world in ruins. His best friend betrayed him, his mate bargained her life to King Desmond, and two-thirds of his House is dead—slain by his own hand. With no army, or allies, Ronan's only hope to rescue Vera lies with House Anu. They'll help on one Ronan must convince his treacherous uncle—the man who murdered his mother and tried to usurp his throne—to join his cause.
A Painful Deal.
King Desmond is hell-bent on breaking Vera and bringing her to heel. She's determined to survive him the same way she did the Crone, but quickly realizes she bargained herself to a far bigger monster—one who knows her most intimate secrets, and deepest fears.
A Terrifying Truth.
As Ronan struggles to turn his uncle to his side, Vera learns there are greater problems to contend with than just the king. Dark claims surface, threatening to unravel everything she thought she knew. She can no longer tell friend from foe, or truth from lies. If the claims are indeed true, it would shatter the world as she knows it.
And that's only if there is a world left to break. The Blood Moon is here and no one is prepared.
Ronan wakes from a three-day coma to find his world in ruins. His best friend betrayed him, his mate bargained her life to King Desmond, and two-thirds of his House is dead—slain by his own hand. With no army, or allies, Ronan's only hope to rescue Vera lies with House Anu. They'll help on one Ronan must convince his treacherous uncle—the man who murdered his mother and tried to usurp his throne—to join his cause.
A Painful Deal.
King Desmond is hell-bent on breaking Vera and bringing her to heel. She's determined to survive him the same way she did the Crone, but quickly realizes she bargained herself to a far bigger monster—one who knows her most intimate secrets, and deepest fears.
A Terrifying Truth.
As Ronan struggles to turn his uncle to his side, Vera learns there are greater problems to contend with than just the king. Dark claims surface, threatening to unravel everything she thought she knew. She can no longer tell friend from foe, or truth from lies. If the claims are indeed true, it would shatter the world as she knows it.
And that's only if there is a world left to break. The Blood Moon is here and no one is prepared.
- GenresFantasy
342 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2025
149 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
Shannen Durey
16 books124 followersShannen Durey is the author of the fantasy romance novel Nights of Iron and Ink, the first book in the epic fantasy series. Shannen lives in Texas with her adorable dogs. When she is not writing, she is reading or spending time in nature waiting for that next great book idea.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 23, 2025
EDIT 23/06/2025: Expanded on item 6, added item 7+.
I was pretty disappointed in this one, after generally enjoying the first two books. I had specific gripes, so spoilers ahead:
1. In my review of the first two books, I said I wanted more world building. This really didn't give me much. I forgot about the blood moon until the end. It's this big bad thing that I really don't know that much about? Honestly, my brain just went to "The Purge" - like it was something you could hunker down for 12 hours to get through it. Clearly I was filling in some wide blanks.
2. So could they talk through the bond at all? Or is the bond just for feelings? I'm confused. Maybe (again) I'm filling in some of the lore on my own... but if they could have communicated at all with the bond, I would have expected some planning conversations? plotting? scheming? strategy? banter or romantic convos?
3. The "last 100 pages" trope (?) was this book. 60%-70% of this book could have been an email. I wanted more action. I wanted more politics. instead we got torture-fest and telepathic warm fuzzies.
4. Characters. There was a lack of character development across the board. It felt like quantity over quality. Bringing back everyone and their mother (literally) for short redemption arcs or emotional damage points. Like the last books, I'm most interested in the Crone, but even that took a strange path.
5. Did not see some of the 'twists' coming because they felt out of left field, or like a whole other field tbh.
6. the romance was non existent other than large declarations of love. the broken bond read more like someones phone line getting disconnected or something. edit: also note this has the "New Moon (Twilight)" situation where the MMC and FMC are apart for almost the entire book, and they're just suffering in each other's absence. No Jacob/secondary MMC as a distraction either.
7. Redemption arc for Finn (if we could call it that) was not an arc. The shape of the arc could be described as a marshmallow lucky charm rainbow. I would have liked more conversations/interactions with Vera to expand/deepen the POV/motivations of Finn.
8. I was confused about the Kylah / House of Anu goings on. This might be a 'me' problem though. I'll re-read the series and update.
9. I think this book could have benefitted SO much from Multi-POV.
After more thought, it's starting to feel like Quicksilver x Book of Azrael type vibes. But I do think those were more fleshed out (so far).
I bought the paperback AND the ebook to support. And I will continue to buy/read this series going forward, because I have hope. However, this installment just didn't work for me :(
Edit to add: I re-read the first two books leading up to this one, and was still a little confused. so I'm concerned I'm going to have to re-read all three before the 4th book comes out. Not out of anticipation or refreshing, but out of absolute necessity to give the 4th book the best chance. Until next year! <3
I was pretty disappointed in this one, after generally enjoying the first two books. I had specific gripes, so spoilers ahead:
1. In my review of the first two books, I said I wanted more world building. This really didn't give me much. I forgot about the blood moon until the end. It's this big bad thing that I really don't know that much about? Honestly, my brain just went to "The Purge" - like it was something you could hunker down for 12 hours to get through it. Clearly I was filling in some wide blanks.
2. So could they talk through the bond at all? Or is the bond just for feelings? I'm confused. Maybe (again) I'm filling in some of the lore on my own... but if they could have communicated at all with the bond, I would have expected some planning conversations? plotting? scheming? strategy? banter or romantic convos?
3. The "last 100 pages" trope (?) was this book. 60%-70% of this book could have been an email. I wanted more action. I wanted more politics. instead we got torture-fest and telepathic warm fuzzies.
4. Characters. There was a lack of character development across the board. It felt like quantity over quality. Bringing back everyone and their mother (literally) for short redemption arcs or emotional damage points. Like the last books, I'm most interested in the Crone, but even that took a strange path.
5. Did not see some of the 'twists' coming because they felt out of left field, or like a whole other field tbh.
6. the romance was non existent other than large declarations of love. the broken bond read more like someones phone line getting disconnected or something. edit: also note this has the "New Moon (Twilight)" situation where the MMC and FMC are apart for almost the entire book, and they're just suffering in each other's absence. No Jacob/secondary MMC as a distraction either.
7. Redemption arc for Finn (if we could call it that) was not an arc. The shape of the arc could be described as a marshmallow lucky charm rainbow. I would have liked more conversations/interactions with Vera to expand/deepen the POV/motivations of Finn.
8. I was confused about the Kylah / House of Anu goings on. This might be a 'me' problem though. I'll re-read the series and update.
9. I think this book could have benefitted SO much from Multi-POV.
After more thought, it's starting to feel like Quicksilver x Book of Azrael type vibes. But I do think those were more fleshed out (so far).
I bought the paperback AND the ebook to support. And I will continue to buy/read this series going forward, because I have hope. However, this installment just didn't work for me :(
Edit to add: I re-read the first two books leading up to this one, and was still a little confused. so I'm concerned I'm going to have to re-read all three before the 4th book comes out. Not out of anticipation or refreshing, but out of absolute necessity to give the 4th book the best chance. Until next year! <3
December 16, 2024
How many books will be in the series?! I hate getting hooked on an unfinished series 😫
July 23, 2025
Vera and Ronan… the hold these two have on my heart is indescribable. And what they each suffer through in this book can only be described as soul crushing.
Vera deals with pure hell in the form of physical torture from King Di@khead. If you don’t like graphic details, you won’t like this. The author, bless her heart, doesn’t pull any punches when letting the reader see what Vera went through.
She’s also still being emotionally picked apart by the Crone, who is just pure evil, in my opinion. I get that she was trying to make Vera stronger, but damn. Give our girl a genuine smile or something!
Ronan, while getting his share of beat downs, has to deal with more guilt than anything. What he did at the end of Book 2 and in the past comes back to haunt him and he struggles with all of that on top of losing Vera.
I cried so much in this book. But I couldn’t put it down. It was so good, but in a terrible kind of way.
If you’re looking for romance or spice, it’s not in this one. Our two beloveds are apart for 90% of the book. The love they have for each other is still shown in every page but they don’t put physical hands on each other until the end. And then, it’s moving from one fight to the next.
I am shattered that I have to wait until June of 2026 to read the 4th one… but I am so glad I found this series. It has quickly risen to the top of my favorites list! ❤️
Vera deals with pure hell in the form of physical torture from King Di@khead. If you don’t like graphic details, you won’t like this. The author, bless her heart, doesn’t pull any punches when letting the reader see what Vera went through.
She’s also still being emotionally picked apart by the Crone, who is just pure evil, in my opinion. I get that she was trying to make Vera stronger, but damn. Give our girl a genuine smile or something!
Ronan, while getting his share of beat downs, has to deal with more guilt than anything. What he did at the end of Book 2 and in the past comes back to haunt him and he struggles with all of that on top of losing Vera.
I cried so much in this book. But I couldn’t put it down. It was so good, but in a terrible kind of way.
If you’re looking for romance or spice, it’s not in this one. Our two beloveds are apart for 90% of the book. The love they have for each other is still shown in every page but they don’t put physical hands on each other until the end. And then, it’s moving from one fight to the next.
I am shattered that I have to wait until June of 2026 to read the 4th one… but I am so glad I found this series. It has quickly risen to the top of my favorites list! ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2025
This release was one I was so ready and excited for.
While some of the twists were interesting, it felt like that’s all this book was. No answers, no true closer on anything from book 2. If anything I have more? Nothing was truly explained and finished. From the MFC to Ness, the Nighters, to even the Crone. It felt like the whole plot was one big cliffhanger. Ronan and Vera spend the entire book other than the very end apart and then a blip of being side by side from a second, then apart again with another pov cliffhanger. It would have been a 5 star for me if it hadn’t of raised all the questions that still aren’t answered. Like who are the Nighters? Masks were taken off but then no explanation of who she saw, why did the Crone throw such a fit destroying all the “planning” it made it seem for her to bargain for the “1 week”, to who is Ness truly, why was King D so hell bent on destroying the gate to kill the god? How did Kylan become queen? And why did Vera do what she did at the end? To many open plots for ever single character in the book and another year of waiting in hopes everything will be explained. Would have been amazing for even a sprinkle of answers with a mix of hea for a moment before another huge cliffhanger.
While some of the twists were interesting, it felt like that’s all this book was. No answers, no true closer on anything from book 2. If anything I have more? Nothing was truly explained and finished. From the MFC to Ness, the Nighters, to even the Crone. It felt like the whole plot was one big cliffhanger. Ronan and Vera spend the entire book other than the very end apart and then a blip of being side by side from a second, then apart again with another pov cliffhanger. It would have been a 5 star for me if it hadn’t of raised all the questions that still aren’t answered. Like who are the Nighters? Masks were taken off but then no explanation of who she saw, why did the Crone throw such a fit destroying all the “planning” it made it seem for her to bargain for the “1 week”, to who is Ness truly, why was King D so hell bent on destroying the gate to kill the god? How did Kylan become queen? And why did Vera do what she did at the end? To many open plots for ever single character in the book and another year of waiting in hopes everything will be explained. Would have been amazing for even a sprinkle of answers with a mix of hea for a moment before another huge cliffhanger.
October 16, 2025
Nights of Gold and Gods delivers exactly what fans of the Darkest Flame series have come to crave—intensity, high stakes, and impossible odds. From start to finish, the tension is palpable, with Ronan and Vera facing a world that seems determined to crush them at every turn.
The pacing never lets up, making this one of the most gripping installments yet. Every chapter feels like a race against time, and just when you think things can’t get worse for our duo, the story pulls the rug out again. The emotional weight between Ronan and Vera is deeper than ever, and their bond is tested in brutal, beautiful ways.
What really stood out was how the book managed to feel complete while still ending on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. Vera’s final actions leave just enough uncertainty to spark a thousand theories, and it’s clear that the next book is going to change everything.
The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is a slightly rushed middle arc that could’ve used a bit more breathing room—but honestly, that’s a small quibble in an otherwise powerhouse of a book.
Can’t wait to see what burns next.
The pacing never lets up, making this one of the most gripping installments yet. Every chapter feels like a race against time, and just when you think things can’t get worse for our duo, the story pulls the rug out again. The emotional weight between Ronan and Vera is deeper than ever, and their bond is tested in brutal, beautiful ways.
What really stood out was how the book managed to feel complete while still ending on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. Vera’s final actions leave just enough uncertainty to spark a thousand theories, and it’s clear that the next book is going to change everything.
The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is a slightly rushed middle arc that could’ve used a bit more breathing room—but honestly, that’s a small quibble in an otherwise powerhouse of a book.
Can’t wait to see what burns next.
September 30, 2025
Could not put this down!
Sensational continuation of Vera and Romans story. Absolutely could not put it down, reading late/early into the next day . No spoilers from me, but I was laughing, crying, angry, depressed, proud, nervous, heartbroken, blushing, happy....then my heart got stomped on, mended, broken again, sewn up and then left on a cliffhanger. ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!
This series has everything you could want in a fantasy. I cannot wait to read book four. Shannen knows what she's doing. She has a lifetime fan with me.
Read the trigger warnings and buckle up. Highly recommend.
Sensational continuation of Vera and Romans story. Absolutely could not put it down, reading late/early into the next day . No spoilers from me, but I was laughing, crying, angry, depressed, proud, nervous, heartbroken, blushing, happy....then my heart got stomped on, mended, broken again, sewn up and then left on a cliffhanger. ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!
This series has everything you could want in a fantasy. I cannot wait to read book four. Shannen knows what she's doing. She has a lifetime fan with me.
Read the trigger warnings and buckle up. Highly recommend.
July 8, 2025
Compared to the first two books, this didn’t hold up at all.
Third book in series and we got no answers but a whole lot of time being stuck in Ronan’s head (he’s incredibly boring).
The side characters that were once interesting and fun became 1 dimensional, our MMC was boring, our FMC was being tortured so much idk how she’s pulling through besides plot armor, and the Crone, once a character I thought to be vastly interesting, is just as boring and predictable.
Sigh. Hopefully next book is the end.
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Third book in series and we got no answers but a whole lot of time being stuck in Ronan’s head (he’s incredibly boring).
The side characters that were once interesting and fun became 1 dimensional, our MMC was boring, our FMC was being tortured so much idk how she’s pulling through besides plot armor, and the Crone, once a character I thought to be vastly interesting, is just as boring and predictable.
Sigh. Hopefully next book is the end.
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September 28, 2025
While I agree on the issue that this books leaves several cliffhangers I quite enjoyed it. The torture (I don’t want to say fun to read) I like - I feel like lots of authors don’t even actually write what the torture whatever the character went through. I also usually HATE books where the FMC and MMC aren’t together for any majority of it (Plated Prisoner Series UGH) but I enjoyed both their storyline’s. Idk sometimes I feel like haters just like to hate 🤷🏼♀️
December 16, 2025
Oh boy, I skimmed majority of it. How does someone get tortured for 80% of the book and still have energy to fight a king and now a god (based off cliffhanger)? Where did the nighters go??? What about Hunt & Kian. Book would benefited from multiple POVs; felt repetitive between Vera & Ronan. Either torture or rage and killing everyone in sight. The crone is a goddess? Hmmm idk about that. So many questions no answers. Just smashed the ending together quickly.
November 25, 2025
they love to hurt the ones who love
This is honestly so messed up; but also such a pivotal point in the story. I’m so excited to see what happens next even if this one did have me balling my eyes out in many different parts
This is honestly so messed up; but also such a pivotal point in the story. I’m so excited to see what happens next even if this one did have me balling my eyes out in many different parts
June 25, 2025
Mommy issues
July 12, 2025
im so lost...
July 31, 2025
I just felt meh the entire time. I did think Vera’s torture was pretty gruesome and sometimes it put me off. I just didn’t love this one….
August 5, 2025
I NEED MORE!!!
I tore through this book such an underrated series. I love all the characters. I might actually die waiting for the next book.
I tore through this book such an underrated series. I love all the characters. I might actually die waiting for the next book.
August 23, 2025
I basically just cried the entire time
September 14, 2025
Great
Really good book lots of adventures no smut but still good can't wait til next book. Honestly can't wait for it
Really good book lots of adventures no smut but still good can't wait til next book. Honestly can't wait for it
October 23, 2025
I was so ready to be done with this series … i’m not coming back for the fourth book. Should have ended it on only 2 or 3 books, 4 is stretching it
November 7, 2025
idek man..this was just ongoing trauma and torture. everything went wrong and there were no answers
Aldo massive cliffhanger
Aldo massive cliffhanger
October 3, 2025
Obsessed with the first two books but this one didn’t give me all the feels. Hoping it’s a building book and the next one will hook me back in.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews