Blackened: Seeds and Shadows Book 2

Seeds and Shadows #2

by K.W. Bernard

The stronger their spells, the better they taste.

I ache with every whiff of magic, wondering what victim I’ll grope in the dark to satisfy my need. A mage whose spells I’ll drink with reckless abandon while he chokes on terrified screams? The brutal warrior who burns with more than rage when I caress her granite flesh and conjure sweet shivers in her core? Or will the woman I love sacrifice her strength to ease my endless hunger, though she suffers the same thirst?

Each of them is prey.

I don’t mind being a predator. Life treated me like an animal, prodding until I bit. It made me wild and ravenous. But this is different... Now, I’m something worse.

The world picked the wrong man to turn into a monster.

I’ll devour it all.

~*~

Blackened is the second book in the Seeds and Shadows trilogy, a romantic dark fantasy series featuring spell-sucking monsters, dark magic, armed scoundrels, and romance that’s more spicy than sweet.

Like the first book, this story is for readers who think fires burn hottest between enemies and brightest in the shadows. Blackened is darker and dirtier than Drained.

See kwbernard.com for content warnings.

288 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2025

Reviews

[L.T. Getty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarlona was a druid with great magic who was kidnapped and transformed into a lorkai – a magic and lifeforce sucking immortal monster who inspires fear and terror if they are believed in at all. In the previous book, she developed a relationship with one of her captors (albeit, the most pathetic one who makes up with his normal human fighter prowess with snark), who had his body destroyed and soul transferred to another lorkai, and the one responsible for her transformation having unwillingly turned back into human.

Basically no one is happy with their current bodily situation, and Sarlona was willing to make a deal with an Abyssal mage to regain her humanity and her magic, so she and Benton agree to get the authorities involved. They advise the council of mages what happened, and they are told that it may be possible to restore Benton’s body and for Sarlona to regain her humanity, but the powers that be are made up of individuals who have their own ambitions for the last few lorkai.

Overall, this is a darker, smuttier story than the first book. Sarlona had her autonomy stripped away from her, her previous attempts to either regain her humanity or go off to be with her gods in death didn’t work, Benton feels terrible about her predicament as he was one of her guards; meeting her improved him so he appears to have some moral compass now. If you don’t care much for Sarlona the plot is about her wanting to be human and just about everyone besides Benton disagreeing. She misses her powers and is so desperate in the last book she was willing to swear herself to dark gods so she could feel her magic again, and is ultimately manipulated. This book she has Dagmar and Benton who are way less naive basically doing that feeling out for her, but Sarlona is essentially trapped in the lorkai form and kept around essentially for breeding. There’s more than just bodily horror as Dagmar points out the only way she’ll help Sarlona is if she promises to either become a lorkai again later in life or dedicate a daughter to her presumed fate, which is something I’ve seen in other stories but it’s handled well here.

The book is filled with body horror but doesn’t feel like it’s getting off on gorn. I don’t really do the romantasy thing but I’m assuming this is on the rougher side of contemporary smut; I don’t know why but Benton gets most of his body back but his one eye has tentacles from some sort of bizarre abyss realm, which I found funny when they were used for sexy times. I probably wouldn’t recommend it as a beginner fantasy, but it feels like it’s got enough familiar enough tropes that most people who are familiar with character classes in video or tabletop games won’t feel lost; we got a bit of the bigger scope of the world so the novel didn’t feel as rushed as the first one. The magic council seems to be either inept or corrupt (or both) but it feels authentic: We’re also introduced to a very powerful vampire character who feels like he’s the sort of eccentric that would occur if he’s stuck watching mortals do the same bizarre thing over centuries. If you’re looking for a story where bad gets some comeuppance, the story has a rather bleak turn of events towards the end. That isn’t to say that the story is sucky happening after sucky happening as we race towards Nihilism and despair, as eventually the two characters who actively despised each other the most, Benton and Dagmar, not only grow a begrudging respecting for each other they genuinely care about each other.

Overall, I think if you enjoyed the first book, you’re likely to enjoy the second one if you go in knowing it’s darker overall. If you aren’t prepared for a heroine who is used and abused and still perseveres anyway, it’s probably not going to be your cup of tea.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blackened takes everything that Drained set up and pushes it to a darker, heavier level. The story follows Sarlona, once a powerful druid, now trapped in the monstrous body of a lorkai—a creature feared for draining life and magic. After being stripped of her autonomy and humanity, Sarlona is desperate to regain both, no matter the cost. Alongside Benton, one of her former guards turned uneasy ally, she faces a web of political manipulation, body horror, and impossible choices.

This sequel is brutal in tone—there’s despair, corruption, and moral decay everywhere. Yet, it’s also compelling. The lore expands nicely, the world-building feels richer, and the new characters (especially the unsettling vampire) bring new energy to the story. I appreciated that the book didn’t glorify its darker elements; the horror is there for narrative weight, not shock value.

That said, the pacing can be overwhelming. There’s a lot going on—magic councils, body swaps, divine deals, and emotional fallout—which sometimes made it difficult to follow. Sarlona’s arc, while powerful, can be frustrating, and the repetition of certain emotional beats dragged in places. The smuttier moments were hit or miss for me; the tone occasionally clashed with the gravity of the story.

Still, the author’s ambition shines through. The characters, though deeply flawed, evolve in believable ways, and the ending delivers emotional punch and bleak beauty in equal measure. If you enjoyed Drained and are ready for something darker, more tragic, and more complex, Blackened won’t disappoint. Just be prepared for a rough ride.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarlona is no longer a druid. Trapped in the body of a Lorkai, she is desperate to regain her humanity and her magic and is willing to make a deal with an Abyssal mage to do so. Benton, her reluctant companion, is similarly trapped in the Lord of Ashmore’s body, and his time is running out with every passing moment before he becomes a soulless, indiscriminate predator. However, if you’re not ready for a heroine who is used, tested, and broken open yet refuses to fall, this installment may not be for you. This sequel sinks deeper into shadow; the world is darker, the stakes much higher, and the tension between the characters absolutely sizzles. Every interaction feels stolen and forbidden, every touch weighted with longing and danger. A fusion of lust, power, and sorcery coils through the narrative, making it impossible to look away. Magic is not just a tool here, it’s a seduction, a threat, and sometimes a weapon aimed at the heart. Even when Sarlona and Benton turn to the council of mages for help, they find only incompetence, corruption, or something far more sinister. The entire world seems steeped in moral decay, and trust is a luxury neither of them can afford. The story thrives in these shadows, blending fantasy and eroticism so seamlessly that every encounter pulses with heat, risk, and electrifying chemistry. There’s a deliciously dark edge to the romance: it isn’t merely about desire, but about power, vulnerability, and the fierce will to survive in a realm that devours the weak. Overall, if you loved the first book, you’ll likely devour this one, so long as you’re prepared for a much darker descent.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ‘Blackened’, author KW Bernard pumped jet fuel into the action, added more adversaries, gave Benton a ca-RAZY eye, more spice, more everything. Now, I gotta be honest here, I am not a fan of all the relations with other people—Benton and Sarina only or give content warnings. So disappointed in that. That Cliffhanger about knocked me on my booty. lol

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Glaucus>Benton
FMC:
✨Sarlona
✨Dagmar
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨Cliffhanger
Series:
✨ Book 2 of Seeds and Shadows
Tropes:
👉dark romantasy
👉monster romance
👉enemies to lovers
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex - explicit/graphic, see content warnings
💥violence
* graphic, mutilation, gore, threats, torture, dark magic, amputation, burning, choking, severe injury
💥death
* Attempted Suicide, execution, murder,
💥immuring
💥abduction
💥body snatching
💥harm to wild animals
* vivisection
💥mental
* mental invasion, mind control, possession
💥harm to a child
💥supernatural parasitism
💥profanity
💥alcoholism
💥paralysis
💥corpse desecration
💥human trafficking
💥vaguely incestuous language
Burn Speed:
✨fast
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackened takes everything I loved about Drained and cranks it up to an intoxicating, almost dangerous level. The world is darker, the stakes higher, and the tension between the characters is absolutely scorching. Every interaction is charged with a sense of forbidden desire, every glance and touch carries weight, and Bernard’s signature blend of lust, power, and magic keeps you utterly captivated.

The magic in this book is as seductive as it is deadly, and the characters’ hunger—both for power and for each other—is irresistible. Bernard masterfully intertwines fantasy and eroticism, making every encounter pulse with energy, risk, and undeniable chemistry. There’s a deliciously dark edge to the romance here: it’s not just about pleasure, but about trust, power, and survival in a world that doesn’t forgive weakness.

If there’s one warning, it’s that this book is intense. The erotic tension and darkness are thick, and some scenes will leave your heart racing. But for fans of dark, steamy, and emotionally charged fantasy, Blackened is a perfect follow-up that more than delivers.

[Stacey Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLACKENED is book two in The Seeds and Shadows series, and readers who enjoyed Drained, the first book in the series, will certainly not be disappointed with this one. In fact, they will be thrilled! Once again, K.W. Bernard has created an epic dark fantasy novel full of incredible world building, supernatural elements, and characters that are alive on the page, including some favorites from book one. While this story is full of magic and heart-pounding action, what I loved about it the most is the quality of writing. The beautiful imagery and immersive story telling are elements I often find missing in modern novels and enjoyed. Now I am looking forward to book three in this series!

[Suzanne Berget · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

I struggled quite a bit with this one, mainly because it's been a while since I read Drained, but also because there's so MUCH going on in this book it was hard to follow sometimes.

But like its predecessor Blackened is action-packed and fast-paced with some well-crafted magical fights that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book also introduces some sexy new antagonists and awful villains, and features enough twists to give you whiplash!

[Kat Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous wordsmithing. This author knows how to write.

The words pull you into the story, and you are invested in Sarlona and Benton's journey. No matter what realm you may be in, there is always evil.

The descriptions are vivid, and you feel like you are in the book.

I want to read the rest of the story. Hopefully, it's not too long a wait.

[Samantha Millican · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeds and Shadows book two, Blackened is even more dark and twisted than the first book! So, check those warnings. Bernard is a very crafty writer, keeping you in the story as if you’re right there in the thick of it! Truly amazing. The spice, Benton and that eye, and a cliff I’m left at screaming!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chrissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books where you need to dive into it immediately after refreshing the memory with the first book Drained.
There’s so much more action in this book, and the author has given us a bunch of new people to find wanting. The villains become harder, more cruel and so deliciously twisted that you won’t know whether to cheer them on or our girl and her guy.

[Alexandrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn that was good!! Much darker than the first one but soooo much fun. Aldamon was a beautiful addition. Can’t wait to see where this is going😁

I received an ARC and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cheyenne Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two for Seeds and Shadows and it did not disappoint. The characters are good and so is their development. The plot and storyline is good as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Smutty Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this one! It was very good, a lot of plot and great worldbuilding! Hotter than hot. I recommend this to everyone!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathryn Glidden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is fantastic. There are some very graphic scenes that are so well written, but definitely made me need a light- hearted cleanse after. Incredible!