What do you think?
Rate this book
Alabaster Penitentiary #5
Shadowman
For three years, I’ve resided in Alabaster Penitentiary. Surrounded by the same faces day in and day out, the deranged souls I now call my friends. We eat our meals together, shower together… Hell, we even fool around on occasion.
Still, after all that, not one of them truly knows me.
It’s my fault. I’m a withdrawn hoarder of secrets. A shadowman, dwelling on the sidelines, damned to this pit of despair for reasons I still can’t accept.
Being the outsider in a group of weirdos isn’t always fun. After all, if no one sees me, do I even exist?
Okay, let’s not go there.
I’m resenting my permanent sidekick status when a distraction arrives. A newcomer—tall, mysterious, and severely beautiful, with black hair and violet eyes. His abrupt arrival has my prison pals suspicious. But not me. I’m instantly intrigued by that peculiar gaze, following me like nothing has before.
He actually sees me. And it’s intoxicating.
Trevel Fenwick could be an ally. Maybe he could be… more.
My body sure seems to think so. But the brighter he lights me up, the deeper he slips into the shadows himself.
What is this striking stranger hiding behind that charming accent and penetrating stare? Why is his need to seek revenge so strong? And can we fight past our demons enough to become real partners in crime?
When a brutal storm ravages Alabaster Isle, we’re left sifting through the rubble. The fences are down. Stress cracks in the foundation, secrets escape, fragile loyalties tested. But the war is far from over…
In fact, it’s only just begun.
Shadowman is a dark MM romance set in the world of Alabaster Penitentiary. While it follows a new couple with their own HEA, it is recommended to read the rest of the series first to avoid spoilers and get the full effect of the Isle. May contain sensitive subject matter. Heed foreword and proceed with caution.
Still, after all that, not one of them truly knows me.
It’s my fault. I’m a withdrawn hoarder of secrets. A shadowman, dwelling on the sidelines, damned to this pit of despair for reasons I still can’t accept.
Being the outsider in a group of weirdos isn’t always fun. After all, if no one sees me, do I even exist?
Okay, let’s not go there.
I’m resenting my permanent sidekick status when a distraction arrives. A newcomer—tall, mysterious, and severely beautiful, with black hair and violet eyes. His abrupt arrival has my prison pals suspicious. But not me. I’m instantly intrigued by that peculiar gaze, following me like nothing has before.
He actually sees me. And it’s intoxicating.
Trevel Fenwick could be an ally. Maybe he could be… more.
My body sure seems to think so. But the brighter he lights me up, the deeper he slips into the shadows himself.
What is this striking stranger hiding behind that charming accent and penetrating stare? Why is his need to seek revenge so strong? And can we fight past our demons enough to become real partners in crime?
When a brutal storm ravages Alabaster Isle, we’re left sifting through the rubble. The fences are down. Stress cracks in the foundation, secrets escape, fragile loyalties tested. But the war is far from over…
In fact, it’s only just begun.
Shadowman is a dark MM romance set in the world of Alabaster Penitentiary. While it follows a new couple with their own HEA, it is recommended to read the rest of the series first to avoid spoilers and get the full effect of the Isle. May contain sensitive subject matter. Heed foreword and proceed with caution.
640 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2025
445 people are currently reading
3133 people want to read
About the author
Nyla K.
26 books6,307 followersAuthor of Flipping Hot Fiction. I write big books and I cannot lie, *insert smirky face*. Specializing in LGBTQ+ representation.
Nyla K is a quirky world-traveler with a sailor mouth and a filthy mind. She writes the dark, and the dirty, but most importantly, UNIQUE romantic fiction. Her smutty and taboo love stories are not for the faint of heart, so beware!
Nyla believes in the relevant, boundary-pushing, mind-bending side of erotic fiction, which is always what to expect from her. If you're looking for the same old story, you won't get that with Nyla K. But if you want complex characters, and stories that stick in your mind like a bad case of crabs... you've come to the right place ;).
Nyla K is a quirky world-traveler with a sailor mouth and a filthy mind. She writes the dark, and the dirty, but most importantly, UNIQUE romantic fiction. Her smutty and taboo love stories are not for the faint of heart, so beware!
Nyla believes in the relevant, boundary-pushing, mind-bending side of erotic fiction, which is always what to expect from her. If you're looking for the same old story, you won't get that with Nyla K. But if you want complex characters, and stories that stick in your mind like a bad case of crabs... you've come to the right place ;).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
December 22, 2025
Wow this was a beast of a book …… but I loved every single second of it and every emotion it pulled out of me. I went from not caring to caring too much, to angry, happy, sad, hot, out breath, flaming, calm, disappointed, disgusted, disbelieving, believing, frustrated, infuriated, happy, elated, floating, cheering out loud to puzzled ….
This couple is toxic, MESSY , dangerous and very sexy !
I SWEAR the week I spent reading this book brought me this many conflicting emotions.
Well this is not a standalone, you must read from book 1-4 in order to be able to read this one. The stories are very intertwined and mostly happening in the same timeline with obvious past being different for everyone involved.
So we met Byron Kang in book 1 Distorted, he was always the quiet sidekick, always in the background, always in the shadows, we get him here and there but he was just the friend who was there but at the same time being used to mend Ren and Luthor’s toxic relationship. Let me defend my baby Luthor for a second because HE NEVER used Byron and he was always a perfect friend and actually I got upset in Fragments and again here because honestly what kind of friend hooks up with the guy he knows you madly love and use the excuse of “proxy” or “prison” or whatever? Frankly Luthor always deserved better, but this is a rant that is not here nor there because it’s only me and the books are written 😂
So yeah Byron was used by Ren intentionally and selfishly, used by Luthor unintentionally and accidentally, used by the Ivory very intentionally, used by Kieran and even by Joy but besides Ren and the Ivory those others were not intentionally using him. So he always felt used, discarded, unseen, unimportant… and he grew resentment towards them and this whole situation, plus he was truly an innocent in this prison. I thought Luthor was the only innocent there, turns out Byron was even more innocent than Luthor because Luthor did something, accidentally but he did, Byron’s only crime was being caught with another guy… he truly was thrown to the most horrific prison ever for being bisexual 😩😭
So obviously his anger, resentment, fury, jealousy is off the charts. He is jealous of his friends for having what he can’t, he resents everyone because they are open and he is in the shadows and he is angry because he is there and he did nothing to deserve. He keeps all his secrets close to his chest, no one knows. He is a fighter and a warrior but he is breaking and no one is seen 😭 until Trevel gets there and the very first person he sees and gets completely infatuated by is no other than Byron Kang the Shadowman himself. When NO ONE was seen him, Trevel did. And he saw how broken and sad he was and all he wanted was that beautiful warrior for himself.
Trevel on the other hand was there because Dr. Love, as we saw in the end of Brainwashed, gave him up to the Ivory. But don’t be mistaken cause unlike Byron, he actually is a killer and a psycho 😂😂😂😂 BUT WHAT A CHARMING CUTE PSYCHO HE IS !!!! I don’t know what is with Nyla K and writing this extremely crazy criminals in such a charming sexy way …
Trevel is manipulative, crazy, obsessive, a monster but also funny, charming, sexy and very flirtatious. He immediately gets Kang intertwined in his web of seduction, lies and love. He wants all Kang’s secrets and he gets it, but he doesn’t give his in return, not because he doesn’t want or trust Kang but because he knows how heavy his baggage is. So Kang is there with a stranger because he knows close to nothing about Trevel. Trevel isolates Kang from his friends because he wants him to himself only and he thinks his friends don’t deserve him, also gets him roped into his revenge against Dr. Love and Felix. And this story goes on and on…..
Byron wants Trevel’s secrets and he is strong enough to carry them, but when Trevel finally was able to open up Byron understands why he didn’t before. His story is SO SAD and TRAGIC! The things he lived through and survived, all his drama, crimes and extremely bad choices, all his guilt, self destruction and self hatred . It’s a LOT ! He is A LOT ! But at the same time he is the only one that ever saw Byron and took the time to love him back so Byron stick by his side because he is also madly in love with the charming Brit and loyalty is everything for Kang. Even though he wasn’t very loyal to Luthor if ask me but I guess nobody ask so…. 😂
Unfortunately Byron has the communication skills of a toddler and that’s a little annoying, and Trevel purposely hides things. The whole situation in the prison and the fight between Team Daddy and Mommy with their Rook against team Ivory is exhilarating and left me on the edge of my seat. I loved that this is the route Nyla took because I NEED Velle’s revenge against the Ivory, I NEED him to win. I want him to be the new warden of a fair and good prison with THE ABSOLUTE QUEEN Joy and the AMAZING SOLDIER ROOK by his side. I NEED THEM TO WIN! I unfortunately know Nyla will make us have some sympathy and maybe even like The Ivory in his book, but I don’t want to. I want to make known here and now that I will probably see his side in his book and maybe even like him BUT IT WILL BE AGAINST MY WILL 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I want to keep hating him forever !
My highlight was Felix being an absolute unhinged monster and being loose in the forest killing all the Ivor’s man he could 😂😂😂😂 Go BABY GIRL SERIAL KILLER!!!!
And I OBVIOUSLY scream and cried when the group was all together because Dash and Kemper plus Luthor and Ren went back to help Team Velle ! OMG I SWEAR I WANT TO SCREAM AGAIN JUST WRITING!!!!!! So obviously this book is a 5⭐️ how could it not ? Now I patiently not so patiently wait for the Ivory next year !
This couple is toxic, MESSY , dangerous and very sexy !
I SWEAR the week I spent reading this book brought me this many conflicting emotions.
Well this is not a standalone, you must read from book 1-4 in order to be able to read this one. The stories are very intertwined and mostly happening in the same timeline with obvious past being different for everyone involved.
So we met Byron Kang in book 1 Distorted, he was always the quiet sidekick, always in the background, always in the shadows, we get him here and there but he was just the friend who was there but at the same time being used to mend Ren and Luthor’s toxic relationship. Let me defend my baby Luthor for a second because HE NEVER used Byron and he was always a perfect friend and actually I got upset in Fragments and again here because honestly what kind of friend hooks up with the guy he knows you madly love and use the excuse of “proxy” or “prison” or whatever? Frankly Luthor always deserved better, but this is a rant that is not here nor there because it’s only me and the books are written 😂
So yeah Byron was used by Ren intentionally and selfishly, used by Luthor unintentionally and accidentally, used by the Ivory very intentionally, used by Kieran and even by Joy but besides Ren and the Ivory those others were not intentionally using him. So he always felt used, discarded, unseen, unimportant… and he grew resentment towards them and this whole situation, plus he was truly an innocent in this prison. I thought Luthor was the only innocent there, turns out Byron was even more innocent than Luthor because Luthor did something, accidentally but he did, Byron’s only crime was being caught with another guy… he truly was thrown to the most horrific prison ever for being bisexual 😩😭
So obviously his anger, resentment, fury, jealousy is off the charts. He is jealous of his friends for having what he can’t, he resents everyone because they are open and he is in the shadows and he is angry because he is there and he did nothing to deserve. He keeps all his secrets close to his chest, no one knows. He is a fighter and a warrior but he is breaking and no one is seen 😭 until Trevel gets there and the very first person he sees and gets completely infatuated by is no other than Byron Kang the Shadowman himself. When NO ONE was seen him, Trevel did. And he saw how broken and sad he was and all he wanted was that beautiful warrior for himself.
Trevel on the other hand was there because Dr. Love, as we saw in the end of Brainwashed, gave him up to the Ivory. But don’t be mistaken cause unlike Byron, he actually is a killer and a psycho 😂😂😂😂 BUT WHAT A CHARMING CUTE PSYCHO HE IS !!!! I don’t know what is with Nyla K and writing this extremely crazy criminals in such a charming sexy way …
Trevel is manipulative, crazy, obsessive, a monster but also funny, charming, sexy and very flirtatious. He immediately gets Kang intertwined in his web of seduction, lies and love. He wants all Kang’s secrets and he gets it, but he doesn’t give his in return, not because he doesn’t want or trust Kang but because he knows how heavy his baggage is. So Kang is there with a stranger because he knows close to nothing about Trevel. Trevel isolates Kang from his friends because he wants him to himself only and he thinks his friends don’t deserve him, also gets him roped into his revenge against Dr. Love and Felix. And this story goes on and on…..
Byron wants Trevel’s secrets and he is strong enough to carry them, but when Trevel finally was able to open up Byron understands why he didn’t before. His story is SO SAD and TRAGIC! The things he lived through and survived, all his drama, crimes and extremely bad choices, all his guilt, self destruction and self hatred . It’s a LOT ! He is A LOT ! But at the same time he is the only one that ever saw Byron and took the time to love him back so Byron stick by his side because he is also madly in love with the charming Brit and loyalty is everything for Kang. Even though he wasn’t very loyal to Luthor if ask me but I guess nobody ask so…. 😂
Unfortunately Byron has the communication skills of a toddler and that’s a little annoying, and Trevel purposely hides things. The whole situation in the prison and the fight between Team Daddy and Mommy with their Rook against team Ivory is exhilarating and left me on the edge of my seat. I loved that this is the route Nyla took because I NEED Velle’s revenge against the Ivory, I NEED him to win. I want him to be the new warden of a fair and good prison with THE ABSOLUTE QUEEN Joy and the AMAZING SOLDIER ROOK by his side. I NEED THEM TO WIN! I unfortunately know Nyla will make us have some sympathy and maybe even like The Ivory in his book, but I don’t want to. I want to make known here and now that I will probably see his side in his book and maybe even like him BUT IT WILL BE AGAINST MY WILL 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I want to keep hating him forever !
My highlight was Felix being an absolute unhinged monster and being loose in the forest killing all the Ivor’s man he could 😂😂😂😂 Go BABY GIRL SERIAL KILLER!!!!
And I OBVIOUSLY scream and cried when the group was all together because Dash and Kemper plus Luthor and Ren went back to help Team Velle ! OMG I SWEAR I WANT TO SCREAM AGAIN JUST WRITING!!!!!! So obviously this book is a 5⭐️ how could it not ? Now I patiently not so patiently wait for the Ivory next year !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2025
"Our secrets are just as significant a part of who we are as anything else. The role we allow them to play in our lives is entirely up to us."
There was never escaping Alabaster Penitentiary.
The sooner you accept it the better.
It's the same thing every day. Every hour. Every minute.
It is a place that is built on secrets.
But then again so is Byron Kang.
Over the past 3 years - he has been one big mystery.
He has friends, he has routines - but does anyone really know him?
Until Trevel Fenwick.
Until the violet eyes devil gets placed in Alabaster Penitentiary.
Nothing is off-limits. Especially not Byron Kang.
The war is far from over… in fact it's only just began.
"I'm still in the shadows. Begging to be pulled out."
The ability of this series to pull you back into this amazing whirlwind of a world with a new plotline that drags you into the story each and every time and "Shadowman" is no exception 🧡
After we started seeing everything about Byron from the beginning and about Trevel from "Brainwashed" we absolutely needed their book it was a no-brainer and once again it is an amazing addition to the collection!!
"If someone isn't willing to accept you for who you are, then they're not the right person for you."
Byron and Trevel have such a tumultuous relationship that you have to go on the rollercoaster with them and every turn pulls you in more than the last! And I say this everytime but seeing the full story from a different POV every book is just *chefs kiss* 💋
I cannot wait for Ivory because I am so intrigued to see how Nyla turns that story 😈🤍
"Falling in love is the most exquisite pain, Byron. No matter how deep the cut, how nasty the gash… it still feels like bliss while you're bleeding out… Doesn't it?"
"Unleash on me, baby. Make me bleed for you, Byron Kang."
Nyla's playlists are always amazing but when you're in the middle of Alabaster Penitentiary songs will always come to you 🧡
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Sv...)
🎶 "Cut The Cord" - Shinedown
🎶 "OVER U" - OZZIE, Dej Monae, SixFloor
🎶 "Drive You Insane" - Daniel Di Angelo
🎶 "Blood Sport - from the room below" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Siren Sounds (bonus)" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Pain" - Jake Daniels
🎶 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎶 "happy ending" - Bailey Spinn
🎶 "Rain" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Overdose" - grandson
🎶 "So Far So Fake" - Pierce The Veil
🎶 "Careful What You Wish For (the doctor said so)" - Jack Harris
🎶 "Tell Me You Love Me - Rock Version" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Nightmare" - UNDREAM, Neoni
🎶 "Hayloft" - Crypto, Jake Daniels
🎶 "Fire & Smoke" - BEECH LOVE
🎶 "PRETTY WHEN U CRY" - PLVTINUM
🎶 "Enter Sandman" - SHEL
🎶 "VALENTINE" - Maneskin
🎶 "Bad Child" - Tones And I
🎶 "Oxygen" - Noita
🎶 "Imaginary" - Evanescence
🎶 "Awake and Alive" - Skillet
🎶 "STRANGER THINGS" - Chase Atlantic
🎶 "I Want Candy" - Risen from Shadows
🎶 "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor
🎶 "parents" - YUNGBLUD
🎶 "Motivation" - Normani
🎶 "Bleed" - Connor Kauffman
🎶 "See You Bleed" - Ramsey
🎶 "Sweet Dreams" - Unlike Pluto
🎶 "Miss Murder" - Charlotte Sands
🎶 "As They Bloom" - Unlike Pluto
🎶 "Pretty In The Dark" - Ashley Sienna, Ellise
🎶 "How I Look On You" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "Mad World" - 2WEI, Tommee Profitt, Fleurie
🎶 "Shapeshifting" - Taylor Acorn
🎶 "BITE" - Mad Tsai
🎶 "Pretty Little Devil" - Shaya Zamora
🎶 "clawmarks" - Britton
🎶 "Under The Influence x Streets - sped up + reverb" - Luke Muzzic
🎶 "Darkness" - FATE
🎶 "Sugar" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Color (Remix)" - Todrick Hall, wiidope, Jeeve
🎶 "Victim" - memyself&vi
🎶 "Blood // Water" - grandson
🎶 "Feel Me Now" - If Not For Me
🎶 "Romeo" - Dove Cameron
🎶 "engravings" - Ethan Bortnick
🎶 "fine" - Mike Shonda
🎶 "WONDERLAND" - Neoni
🎶 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
🎶 "DIFFERENT" - Chris Grey
🎶 "Demons" - Jacob Lee
🎶 "Movement" - Hozier
🎶 "Dare You To Move" - Adam Doleac
🎶 "Fallin' (Adrenaline)" - Why Don't We
🎶 "Dance With The Devil" - Breaking Benjamin
🎶 "Dizzy" - MISSIO
🎶 "You Belong to Me" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "Shackles" - Steven Rodriguez
🎶 "Shivers" - No Resolve
🎶 "Shameless" - Camilla Cabello
🎶 "Black Vultures" - Halestorm
🎶 "Painkiller" - Ruel
🎶 "Good Boy" - ZEE MACHINE
🎶 "Ruin Me" - Sebastian Schub
🎶 "Skin and Bones" - David Kushner
🎶 "Monster" - Willyecho
🎶 "Taste (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "I like the way you kiss me" - Rain Paris
🎶 "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" - Loveless
🎶 "Numb" - Tommee Profitt, Skylar Grey
🎶 "Love Is The Devil" - Natalie Jane
🎶 "MANIAC" - Stray Kids
🎶 "Power Over Me" - Dermot Kennedy
🎶 "Monsters in My Mind" - Cloudy June
🎶 "High For This" - The Weeknd
🎶 "Man or a Monster" - Sam Tinnesz, Zayde Wolf
🎶 "Paranoid" - Palaye Royale
🎶 "Once In A Lifetime" - All Time Low
🎶 "Give" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Adrenaline" - Zero 9:36, Ice Nine Kills
🎶 "Warrior" - Livingston
🎶 "Mansion" - NF, Fleurie
🎶 "Welcome To The Jungle" - Tommee Profitt, Fleurie
🎶 "Tragedy" - Being As An Ocean
🎶 "do you really want to hurt me?" - Nessa Barrett
🎶 "Mine" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Survive" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "Bones" - MOD SUN
🎶 "Start A War" - Klergy, Valerie Broussard
And for everyone that missed Nyla K's dirty talk - don't worry this book is chalk full of it 🌶️🔥🧡
"Oh, baby, yes...You’re such a good boy. Good little whore with a perfect mouth."
"You're so needy, aren’t you, my beautiful warrior?"
"Fall apart for me, baby. I know this is what you want."
🧡 Tropes 🧡
🐉 "Delulu" to Lovers
🐉 Stalking
🐉 Broken Boys
🐉 Revenge
🐉 Complicated Pasts
Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/DNsvGMLWD...
There was never escaping Alabaster Penitentiary.
The sooner you accept it the better.
It's the same thing every day. Every hour. Every minute.
It is a place that is built on secrets.
But then again so is Byron Kang.
Over the past 3 years - he has been one big mystery.
He has friends, he has routines - but does anyone really know him?
Until Trevel Fenwick.
Until the violet eyes devil gets placed in Alabaster Penitentiary.
Nothing is off-limits. Especially not Byron Kang.
The war is far from over… in fact it's only just began.
"I'm still in the shadows. Begging to be pulled out."
The ability of this series to pull you back into this amazing whirlwind of a world with a new plotline that drags you into the story each and every time and "Shadowman" is no exception 🧡
After we started seeing everything about Byron from the beginning and about Trevel from "Brainwashed" we absolutely needed their book it was a no-brainer and once again it is an amazing addition to the collection!!
"If someone isn't willing to accept you for who you are, then they're not the right person for you."
Byron and Trevel have such a tumultuous relationship that you have to go on the rollercoaster with them and every turn pulls you in more than the last! And I say this everytime but seeing the full story from a different POV every book is just *chefs kiss* 💋
I cannot wait for Ivory because I am so intrigued to see how Nyla turns that story 😈🤍
"Falling in love is the most exquisite pain, Byron. No matter how deep the cut, how nasty the gash… it still feels like bliss while you're bleeding out… Doesn't it?"
"Unleash on me, baby. Make me bleed for you, Byron Kang."
Nyla's playlists are always amazing but when you're in the middle of Alabaster Penitentiary songs will always come to you 🧡
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Sv...)
🎶 "Cut The Cord" - Shinedown
🎶 "OVER U" - OZZIE, Dej Monae, SixFloor
🎶 "Drive You Insane" - Daniel Di Angelo
🎶 "Blood Sport - from the room below" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Siren Sounds (bonus)" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Pain" - Jake Daniels
🎶 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎶 "happy ending" - Bailey Spinn
🎶 "Rain" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Overdose" - grandson
🎶 "So Far So Fake" - Pierce The Veil
🎶 "Careful What You Wish For (the doctor said so)" - Jack Harris
🎶 "Tell Me You Love Me - Rock Version" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "Nightmare" - UNDREAM, Neoni
🎶 "Hayloft" - Crypto, Jake Daniels
🎶 "Fire & Smoke" - BEECH LOVE
🎶 "PRETTY WHEN U CRY" - PLVTINUM
🎶 "Enter Sandman" - SHEL
🎶 "VALENTINE" - Maneskin
🎶 "Bad Child" - Tones And I
🎶 "Oxygen" - Noita
🎶 "Imaginary" - Evanescence
🎶 "Awake and Alive" - Skillet
🎶 "STRANGER THINGS" - Chase Atlantic
🎶 "I Want Candy" - Risen from Shadows
🎶 "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor
🎶 "parents" - YUNGBLUD
🎶 "Motivation" - Normani
🎶 "Bleed" - Connor Kauffman
🎶 "See You Bleed" - Ramsey
🎶 "Sweet Dreams" - Unlike Pluto
🎶 "Miss Murder" - Charlotte Sands
🎶 "As They Bloom" - Unlike Pluto
🎶 "Pretty In The Dark" - Ashley Sienna, Ellise
🎶 "How I Look On You" - Ariana Grande
🎶 "Mad World" - 2WEI, Tommee Profitt, Fleurie
🎶 "Shapeshifting" - Taylor Acorn
🎶 "BITE" - Mad Tsai
🎶 "Pretty Little Devil" - Shaya Zamora
🎶 "clawmarks" - Britton
🎶 "Under The Influence x Streets - sped up + reverb" - Luke Muzzic
🎶 "Darkness" - FATE
🎶 "Sugar" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Color (Remix)" - Todrick Hall, wiidope, Jeeve
🎶 "Victim" - memyself&vi
🎶 "Blood // Water" - grandson
🎶 "Feel Me Now" - If Not For Me
🎶 "Romeo" - Dove Cameron
🎶 "engravings" - Ethan Bortnick
🎶 "fine" - Mike Shonda
🎶 "WONDERLAND" - Neoni
🎶 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
🎶 "DIFFERENT" - Chris Grey
🎶 "Demons" - Jacob Lee
🎶 "Movement" - Hozier
🎶 "Dare You To Move" - Adam Doleac
🎶 "Fallin' (Adrenaline)" - Why Don't We
🎶 "Dance With The Devil" - Breaking Benjamin
🎶 "Dizzy" - MISSIO
🎶 "You Belong to Me" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "Shackles" - Steven Rodriguez
🎶 "Shivers" - No Resolve
🎶 "Shameless" - Camilla Cabello
🎶 "Black Vultures" - Halestorm
🎶 "Painkiller" - Ruel
🎶 "Good Boy" - ZEE MACHINE
🎶 "Ruin Me" - Sebastian Schub
🎶 "Skin and Bones" - David Kushner
🎶 "Monster" - Willyecho
🎶 "Taste (Speed)" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "I like the way you kiss me" - Rain Paris
🎶 "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" - Loveless
🎶 "Numb" - Tommee Profitt, Skylar Grey
🎶 "Love Is The Devil" - Natalie Jane
🎶 "MANIAC" - Stray Kids
🎶 "Power Over Me" - Dermot Kennedy
🎶 "Monsters in My Mind" - Cloudy June
🎶 "High For This" - The Weeknd
🎶 "Man or a Monster" - Sam Tinnesz, Zayde Wolf
🎶 "Paranoid" - Palaye Royale
🎶 "Once In A Lifetime" - All Time Low
🎶 "Give" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Adrenaline" - Zero 9:36, Ice Nine Kills
🎶 "Warrior" - Livingston
🎶 "Mansion" - NF, Fleurie
🎶 "Welcome To The Jungle" - Tommee Profitt, Fleurie
🎶 "Tragedy" - Being As An Ocean
🎶 "do you really want to hurt me?" - Nessa Barrett
🎶 "Mine" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Survive" - Lewis Capaldi
🎶 "Bones" - MOD SUN
🎶 "Start A War" - Klergy, Valerie Broussard
And for everyone that missed Nyla K's dirty talk - don't worry this book is chalk full of it 🌶️🔥🧡
"Oh, baby, yes...You’re such a good boy. Good little whore with a perfect mouth."
"You're so needy, aren’t you, my beautiful warrior?"
"Fall apart for me, baby. I know this is what you want."
🧡 Tropes 🧡
🐉 "Delulu" to Lovers
🐉 Stalking
🐉 Broken Boys
🐉 Revenge
🐉 Complicated Pasts
Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/DNsvGMLWD...
August 19, 2025
I couldn't get enough of Byron and Trevel's romance. These two are complicated, possessive, intense, and morally questionable. Their connection is undeniable, their chemistry is perfect, and I was fascinated by their origin stories. There is so much pain, longing, and desperation that create a captivating story, making these two lost souls perfectly suited for each other.
Shadowman works on many levels. It moves the story at a quick pace, offering not only Trevel and Byron's backstories but also their perspectives on other favorite characters, including Felix Darcey and Dr. Love. This was one of my favorite parts of the story, as their interactions with others are further explored, adding depth.
Throughout the story, many questions left unanswered in the series are addressed. I was a bit surprised by some of the answers, which of course lead to more questions. I love the mystery woven throughout Alabaster, and getting both Trevel and Byron's unique viewpoints makes their roles even more impactful.
Overall, this is an epic romance and mystery. Byron and Trevel are undeniably perfect together. They are messy, unhinged, and sometimes psychotic, yet they are utterly smitten with each other. I enjoyed watching their relationship deepen and grow stronger. I couldn't get enough of them, and I was sad to see it end.
Additionally, the ending is utter perfection. I’ve always been intrigued by The Ivory, and glimpses into his perspective and hidden secrets only increase my curiosity about his story. I can't wait for the finale!!!!
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Shadowman works on many levels. It moves the story at a quick pace, offering not only Trevel and Byron's backstories but also their perspectives on other favorite characters, including Felix Darcey and Dr. Love. This was one of my favorite parts of the story, as their interactions with others are further explored, adding depth.
Throughout the story, many questions left unanswered in the series are addressed. I was a bit surprised by some of the answers, which of course lead to more questions. I love the mystery woven throughout Alabaster, and getting both Trevel and Byron's unique viewpoints makes their roles even more impactful.
Overall, this is an epic romance and mystery. Byron and Trevel are undeniably perfect together. They are messy, unhinged, and sometimes psychotic, yet they are utterly smitten with each other. I enjoyed watching their relationship deepen and grow stronger. I couldn't get enough of them, and I was sad to see it end.
Additionally, the ending is utter perfection. I’ve always been intrigued by The Ivory, and glimpses into his perspective and hidden secrets only increase my curiosity about his story. I can't wait for the finale!!!!
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Want to read
July 24, 2024I'm honestly so ready for this book. I already know they're going to be my second favorites. Felix and Love are the first. Everyone else is meh honestly. I loved the sneak peek from the end of fragments. I just know this book is gonna hurt because trevel is only worried about himself. Kang truly deserves better lol. Ren and Luthor were really using him. I was on Kang's side lol
September 19, 2024
Desperately waiting for this Book 😩😩😩
October 15, 2025
4.5⭐️ 4🌶️
📝 REVIEW & THOUGHTS:
This book is pure angst, hurt, passion, tension and a biiiig side of plot twist. It. Was. Totally. Worth. It.
Yeah, it’s a long book. Yeah it was a tab bit repetitive at times. But I was here for all of it, and it was amazing.
This feels like a fantasy book from how OTT it is sometimes. This is not the normal romance, nor the normal contemporary story. It’s almost a genre of its own.
So good. You must read all the previous books as otherwise you’ll not be understanding a thing of this beast of a book.
🏷️ TROPES & TAGS (possible spoilers):
Genre/subgenre: contemporary dark romance
Pairing: MM
POV: 1st person, dual
Angst: high, both in romance and plot
Burn: slow
Vibe/mood: toxic, intense, emotional
Pet names: baby, gorgeous, love, sweet fury, warrior / baby, violet eyes
Characters’ ages: not mentioned, I assume mid 20s to early 30s
HEA: hard earned, but yes
Prisoner x prisoner
Delulu to lovers
British x Korean
Jealous, possessive and obsessive MCs
Lonely and broken guys
Outcast x outcast
Stalker x stalker
Brooding fighter x hippy psychopath
Complicated and traumatic pasts
Revenge plot
Closeted MC (the “I’m not gay”, but we all know he is type lol)
Found family
Debauchery
🌶️ SPICE & K!NKS (possible spoilers):
Strict top/bottom or versatile: vers and switch
Heat: 23 scenes, f*cking high heat (in true Nyla’s fashion ❤️🔥🫠)
Dry humping
BJs
Praise/mild degradation combo
Coming untouched
Home-made glory hole
Somno
Feminization (c*nt, pussy)
Rimming
Not exactly Daddy k!nk, but they do say “Daddy” a few times
Docking
Primal play/CNC
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS (possible spoilers):
Dubcon: yes, but not exactly between MCs, unless we include the primal play/kind of cnc scene
Noncon: no
OM/OW: MCs have sex with OW and OM before they’re together or flashbacks scenes (multiple times, on page)
3rd act breakup: yes, twice actually
I can’t even wrap my head around all the triggers, this book is a trigger warning wrapped in another trigger warning, like Matryoshka dolls. Imma write the list from the author CW page cause I lost track:
Stalking
Fictionalized views of prison life
Addiction and mental illness (Mention of intravenous drug use and withdrawal)
Trauma recovery
Sexual scenes of MC’s with non-MC’s
Murder, blood & gore (including but not limited to intentional overdose, bludgeoning, stabbing, etc.)
Mild torture
Illegal fighting rings
Mention of childhood sexual assault & child abuse
Mention of sexual assault & abuse
Fictionalized Government officials
Death of a trans character (Not a hate crime. Not a MC.)*
Mild homophobia/transphobia (side characters)
Use of a dead name (not by a MC)
Gun violence
Grief & loss
Kidnapping
Physical violence (between MC’s, including sexual violence)
*Please note that this instance takes place in Chapter 8, and could be triggering to trans readers. While this is an important part of the story, you can skip Chapter 8 and still follow the plot/storyline.
💬 QUOTES (possible spoilers):
* Fyi about 🌶️ levels: I rate spice on a combination of quantity, quality, length, intensity and explicitness of the scenes. K!nks are listed separately and generally do not directly affect the steam level to keep it fair for non k!nky books.
📝 REVIEW & THOUGHTS:
This book is pure angst, hurt, passion, tension and a biiiig side of plot twist. It. Was. Totally. Worth. It.
Yeah, it’s a long book. Yeah it was a tab bit repetitive at times. But I was here for all of it, and it was amazing.
This feels like a fantasy book from how OTT it is sometimes. This is not the normal romance, nor the normal contemporary story. It’s almost a genre of its own.
So good. You must read all the previous books as otherwise you’ll not be understanding a thing of this beast of a book.
🏷️ TROPES & TAGS (possible spoilers):
Genre/subgenre: contemporary dark romance
Pairing: MM
POV: 1st person, dual
Angst: high, both in romance and plot
Burn: slow
Vibe/mood: toxic, intense, emotional
Pet names: baby, gorgeous, love, sweet fury, warrior / baby, violet eyes
Characters’ ages: not mentioned, I assume mid 20s to early 30s
HEA: hard earned, but yes
Prisoner x prisoner
Delulu to lovers
British x Korean
Jealous, possessive and obsessive MCs
Lonely and broken guys
Outcast x outcast
Stalker x stalker
Brooding fighter x hippy psychopath
Complicated and traumatic pasts
Revenge plot
Closeted MC (the “I’m not gay”, but we all know he is type lol)
Found family
Debauchery
🌶️ SPICE & K!NKS (possible spoilers):
Strict top/bottom or versatile: vers and switch
Heat: 23 scenes, f*cking high heat (in true Nyla’s fashion ❤️🔥🫠)
Dry humping
BJs
Praise/mild degradation combo
Coming untouched
Home-made glory hole
Somno
Feminization (c*nt, pussy)
Rimming
Not exactly Daddy k!nk, but they do say “Daddy” a few times
Docking
Primal play/CNC
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS (possible spoilers):
Dubcon: yes, but not exactly between MCs, unless we include the primal play/kind of cnc scene
Noncon: no
OM/OW: MCs have sex with OW and OM before they’re together or flashbacks scenes (multiple times, on page)
3rd act breakup: yes, twice actually
I can’t even wrap my head around all the triggers, this book is a trigger warning wrapped in another trigger warning, like Matryoshka dolls. Imma write the list from the author CW page cause I lost track:
Stalking
Fictionalized views of prison life
Addiction and mental illness (Mention of intravenous drug use and withdrawal)
Trauma recovery
Sexual scenes of MC’s with non-MC’s
Murder, blood & gore (including but not limited to intentional overdose, bludgeoning, stabbing, etc.)
Mild torture
Illegal fighting rings
Mention of childhood sexual assault & child abuse
Mention of sexual assault & abuse
Fictionalized Government officials
Death of a trans character (Not a hate crime. Not a MC.)*
Mild homophobia/transphobia (side characters)
Use of a dead name (not by a MC)
Gun violence
Grief & loss
Kidnapping
Physical violence (between MC’s, including sexual violence)
*Please note that this instance takes place in Chapter 8, and could be triggering to trans readers. While this is an important part of the story, you can skip Chapter 8 and still follow the plot/storyline.
💬 QUOTES (possible spoilers):
[…]
* Fyi about 🌶️ levels: I rate spice on a combination of quantity, quality, length, intensity and explicitness of the scenes. K!nks are listed separately and generally do not directly affect the steam level to keep it fair for non k!nky books.
August 19, 2025
Oh. My. G-d.
First of all, if you don’t already know, do not read this until you’ve read the rest of the series. This is not a stand alone. And best to read them fresh if you can…
This book ties together so many components of the AP series. It’s actually unbelievable how much is accomplished. So many loose threads woven together. At the same time, despite knowing all the characters, it was never predictable. I was clutching my pearls, wondering if characters I have fallen in love with throughout the series were going to have everything pulled away from them. This was a wild ride.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
Highlights for me:
The back stories of the 2 MC — oof. That was a tear jerker. Also, the action in this book is NON-STOP. Yet… there were LOL moments that I was just dead over.
Last thing I will say— I didn’t think it was possible for me to love these 2 main characters after seeing them through the lens of the other books… it felt so good to be very wrong!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 love for the 📕
🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️/5 spice
🖤 🖤 🖤/5 darkness
⚠️ Trigger Potential: if you’ve made it this far, probably don’t need to worry about it at this point. But check it out online if u need to… take care yourself.
What I ❤️— literally everything
What I 💔/👎🏻— I got 😱 there for a minute but, as it turns out… no notes. All hail the 👑 Queen of AP (who is Nyla, not Ren, LOL)
The book in emojis:
🖤 💜 📝 📗 (🐢+🧸 )🌶️ 🍆 🥷 🌶️ 🧴🌶️ 🔥🔪😳🤯😬😬😬😢🥹🌶️ 🌈 🚁🚁 🔪🔫🏴….
Tropes:
#PrisonRomance
#DarkRomance
#MMRomance
#BiAwakening
#FoundFamily
#TraumaSurvivors
#HardEarnedHEA
#ExtraSpicyRomance
MicroTropes:
#TeenagedMutantNinjaTurtles
#CheckYourLube
#PsychoticInmatesCanBeHeroesToo
#NobodyWillCryOverADoctorThatTortures
#RevengeIsMoreFunWithFriends
Please note, I did receive this ARC for free; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book.
First of all, if you don’t already know, do not read this until you’ve read the rest of the series. This is not a stand alone. And best to read them fresh if you can…
This book ties together so many components of the AP series. It’s actually unbelievable how much is accomplished. So many loose threads woven together. At the same time, despite knowing all the characters, it was never predictable. I was clutching my pearls, wondering if characters I have fallen in love with throughout the series were going to have everything pulled away from them. This was a wild ride.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
Highlights for me:
The back stories of the 2 MC — oof. That was a tear jerker. Also, the action in this book is NON-STOP. Yet… there were LOL moments that I was just dead over.
Last thing I will say— I didn’t think it was possible for me to love these 2 main characters after seeing them through the lens of the other books… it felt so good to be very wrong!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 love for the 📕
🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️/5 spice
🖤 🖤 🖤/5 darkness
⚠️ Trigger Potential: if you’ve made it this far, probably don’t need to worry about it at this point. But check it out online if u need to… take care yourself.
What I ❤️— literally everything
What I 💔/👎🏻— I got 😱 there for a minute but, as it turns out… no notes. All hail the 👑 Queen of AP (who is Nyla, not Ren, LOL)
The book in emojis:
🖤 💜 📝 📗 (🐢+🧸 )🌶️ 🍆 🥷 🌶️ 🧴🌶️ 🔥🔪😳🤯😬😬😬😢🥹🌶️ 🌈 🚁🚁 🔪🔫🏴….
Tropes:
#PrisonRomance
#DarkRomance
#MMRomance
#BiAwakening
#FoundFamily
#TraumaSurvivors
#HardEarnedHEA
#ExtraSpicyRomance
MicroTropes:
#TeenagedMutantNinjaTurtles
#CheckYourLube
#PsychoticInmatesCanBeHeroesToo
#NobodyWillCryOverADoctorThatTortures
#RevengeIsMoreFunWithFriends
Please note, I did receive this ARC for free; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book.
September 9, 2025
4.5 ⭐ -> beware, review contains some spoilers
Alabaster Penitentiary series is a different kind of crack, I swear. On that note if anyone has similar recs please drop them in the comments I hear a slump calling my name...
Now, let's start with the main couple;
𝗕𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗴 is really the most innocent person in this entire prison and I did feel bad finding out his backstory. I don't remember much of him from the first 2 books save for some mentions. In Brainwashed I didn't really like him because of his treatment of Felix but I understand the reasoning. In Fragments I was neutral on him until Trevel appeared and I started to dislike them both.
I like him now, he's definitely not in my top 3 but I like him and I definitely understand him better.
He always felt abandoned and forgotten by everyone and to an extent it kinda was like that and it was nice that aside from his revenge Trevel was there just for him and gave him full attention.
𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸 had the communication skills of a toddler which was annoying considering most of their problems could have been solved with a few good talks but we also see why he is so afraid of opening up. I didn't like how toxic his approach to Byron was, isolating him from everyone and especially not telling him about the call.
I did fall for the Trevel propaganda because he was very interesting in his POV and pretty charming. Plus he really cared about Byron and was probably the only one who actually fully cared about him and saw him for who he was. They're prison married your honour!
The lube things in Felix's room had me shook, and the reveal about it near the end was even funnier.
I was so glad when Trevel finally got onto team Velle and away from the Ivory and his confession was so sweet. So yeah he did annoy me in previous books and a little here but ultimately I ended up liking him.
The main thing this two had in common was their bitching about Felix and that's one of the reasons this book isn't a 5 star. For 600+ pages they bitched and whined and whined and bitched about Felix Darcey, and Lem but that was only from Trevel. And Felix is my baby girl so safe to say it was grating my nerves.
And you know what?! After all that bitching they ended up as besties!
Trevel and Byron seeing Michelangelo in the epilogue and Trevel acting all jealous wife had me rolling. Also I'm never going to see Teenage Mutants Ninja Turtles again without thinking about this book. This whole series changed my brainchemistry istg.
The spice was freaking spicing, as always it was so freaking delicious. I loved that they were both equally needy for each other and that they didn't have a constant standing dynamic and kept switching.
I'm definitely intrigued by the Ivory and I can't wait to see his story. For a few hot seconds I thought his love interest was gonna be his assistant, tho I did for some reason ship him with Governor Russo, don't ask why. Angel seems interesting enough, I skimmed over the sneak peak into the Ivory but maybe I'll read it sometimes.
Where we left off, things are about to come to a big showdown of a final battle and that's why I'm feeling kinda off about Ivory as the last book. Like yes I want his story, but maybe separately. I would prefer it to be a big avengers assemble type of shit book for the finale where we get POV's from all the previous characters, seems more interesting.
I need team Velle to win, and I do think that the epilogue, set 1 year after the big battle ig, is hinting heavily at it. But I also need it from their perspectives, not just Manuel's.
The friendship between Bryon, Luthor and Ren was ... toxic and definitely unhealthily. Knowingly from Ren, unknowingly from Lex and idk about Byron. They all needed better communication but I'm glad it seems they're working out their issues now and back to being actual good friends.
I loved all the characters being back together again and those last few chapters with all of them were so funny I was cackling. I'm definitely gonna miss this series once it's over.
Also what was the point of Trevel's imaginary friend having a POV chapter? Welcome back prison Kemper.
Alabaster Penitentiary series is a different kind of crack, I swear. On that note if anyone has similar recs please drop them in the comments I hear a slump calling my name...
Now, let's start with the main couple;
𝗕𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗴 is really the most innocent person in this entire prison and I did feel bad finding out his backstory. I don't remember much of him from the first 2 books save for some mentions. In Brainwashed I didn't really like him because of his treatment of Felix but I understand the reasoning. In Fragments I was neutral on him until Trevel appeared and I started to dislike them both.
I like him now, he's definitely not in my top 3 but I like him and I definitely understand him better.
He always felt abandoned and forgotten by everyone and to an extent it kinda was like that and it was nice that aside from his revenge Trevel was there just for him and gave him full attention.
𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸 had the communication skills of a toddler which was annoying considering most of their problems could have been solved with a few good talks but we also see why he is so afraid of opening up. I didn't like how toxic his approach to Byron was, isolating him from everyone and especially not telling him about the call.
I did fall for the Trevel propaganda because he was very interesting in his POV and pretty charming. Plus he really cared about Byron and was probably the only one who actually fully cared about him and saw him for who he was. They're prison married your honour!
The lube things in Felix's room had me shook, and the reveal about it near the end was even funnier.
I was so glad when Trevel finally got onto team Velle and away from the Ivory and his confession was so sweet. So yeah he did annoy me in previous books and a little here but ultimately I ended up liking him.
The main thing this two had in common was their bitching about Felix and that's one of the reasons this book isn't a 5 star. For 600+ pages they bitched and whined and whined and bitched about Felix Darcey, and Lem but that was only from Trevel. And Felix is my baby girl so safe to say it was grating my nerves.
And you know what?! After all that bitching they ended up as besties!
Trevel and Byron seeing Michelangelo in the epilogue and Trevel acting all jealous wife had me rolling. Also I'm never going to see Teenage Mutants Ninja Turtles again without thinking about this book. This whole series changed my brainchemistry istg.
The spice was freaking spicing, as always it was so freaking delicious. I loved that they were both equally needy for each other and that they didn't have a constant standing dynamic and kept switching.
I'm definitely intrigued by the Ivory and I can't wait to see his story. For a few hot seconds I thought his love interest was gonna be his assistant, tho I did for some reason ship him with Governor Russo, don't ask why. Angel seems interesting enough, I skimmed over the sneak peak into the Ivory but maybe I'll read it sometimes.
Where we left off, things are about to come to a big showdown of a final battle and that's why I'm feeling kinda off about Ivory as the last book. Like yes I want his story, but maybe separately. I would prefer it to be a big avengers assemble type of shit book for the finale where we get POV's from all the previous characters, seems more interesting.
I need team Velle to win, and I do think that the epilogue, set 1 year after the big battle ig, is hinting heavily at it. But I also need it from their perspectives, not just Manuel's.
The friendship between Bryon, Luthor and Ren was ... toxic and definitely unhealthily. Knowingly from Ren, unknowingly from Lex and idk about Byron. They all needed better communication but I'm glad it seems they're working out their issues now and back to being actual good friends.
I loved all the characters being back together again and those last few chapters with all of them were so funny I was cackling. I'm definitely gonna miss this series once it's over.
Also what was the point of Trevel's imaginary friend having a POV chapter? Welcome back prison Kemper.
August 27, 2025
My god what a fucking masterpiece. I LOVEEEE this universe and this found family of dysfunctional toxic psycho sluts. Byron and Trevel as individual characters were broken perfection and TOGETHER my heart was SWOONING and crying and laughing and wanting to grab them both by shoulders and shake the living day lights out of them. The continuing plot of this series has me fucking perplexed. We got 10 answers and 50 more questions lmfao. I’m excited to see the Ivory’s redemption-ish arc in the next book. Idk how Nyla’s gonna do it but if anyone can it will be her. Undoubtedly, one of the most talented authors my eyeballs have ever had the pleasure of consuming.
August 24, 2025
“I like having secrets. I like keeping them stashed away deep in the hollowed-out cement box of my heart.”
🐻 🐢 🧴 🥷 🚁 🔪 🩸
This was everything I didn’t know I needed! And to think that Byron almost didn’t get his own book!! Nyla truly gave him his moment to shine! What a character!
It’s hard to put into words how good this book is. It’s almost two books in one; Trevel and Byron’s love story and the downfall of AP. Nyla beautifully wove the two together and made a masterpiece. There was not a dull moment in the book. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, shit went sideways. And that is the beauty of AP.
I am so anxious to see what happens!
Tropes:
"Delulu to lovers"
Former stalker
Outcasts in love
Bi-Awakening that's desperate to be awakened
Complicated pasts
Brooding fighter meets hippy psychopath
Emo as a love language
Unexpectedly versatile
Power struggle
Broken boys searching for their partner in crime
🐻 🐢 🧴 🥷 🚁 🔪 🩸
This was everything I didn’t know I needed! And to think that Byron almost didn’t get his own book!! Nyla truly gave him his moment to shine! What a character!
It’s hard to put into words how good this book is. It’s almost two books in one; Trevel and Byron’s love story and the downfall of AP. Nyla beautifully wove the two together and made a masterpiece. There was not a dull moment in the book. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, shit went sideways. And that is the beauty of AP.
I am so anxious to see what happens!
Tropes:
"Delulu to lovers"
Former stalker
Outcasts in love
Bi-Awakening that's desperate to be awakened
Complicated pasts
Brooding fighter meets hippy psychopath
Emo as a love language
Unexpectedly versatile
Power struggle
Broken boys searching for their partner in crime
September 14, 2025
4.25 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
this book is me putting all the new releases and anticipated ones aside so i can read this 5th alabaster pen book. fragments left me with so many questions and worries i couldn’t NOT continue. at this point, my soul lives in alabaster pen. thats really concerning but you get the point, metaphor, thanks.
trevel is a new character that gets introduced in brainwashed and honestly i had barely no thoughts about him. but um i actually really liked him from the start.
no thoughts about byron before my reading because he was barely there in the first four books. and when he was there, either he was complaining or arguing with lex and ren.
but really, the more i kept going, the more my opinion was changing. it’s about revenge. it’s infuriating and you absolutely can’t read this before reading the first four books or else you’ll get spoiled on EVERYTHING. i did not like the "revenge" part, it was very annoying. but it’s just because i wanted everyone to be happy.
and somewhat i got it. everything did a 180 and i was happy again. it was all very confusing. i cried a few times the last 25%. see, i’ve become so attached to these characters, as crazy as it sounds, so of course i get emotional.
this book was a lot. but it also was amazing. i devoured the shit out of this.
i really loved trevel and byron individually. more than the two of them together. i think the highlight of this book was the last 20%. my heart is so full. and i’m definitely happier than in the beginning where i couldn’t see myself enjoying this.
this book being 800+ pages is crazy but you will never see me complain because i could be reading 2748595 more pages about alabaster pen.
book six TERRIFIES me. i don’t know how nyla k could be writing a redemption arc for manuel blanco but i’m intrigued to know. because damn, so far, this man deserves to d!e in the sharks infested waters.
here’s my ranking of the series so far :
1. fragments
2. brainwashed
3. joyless
4. distorted
5. shadowman
this book is me putting all the new releases and anticipated ones aside so i can read this 5th alabaster pen book. fragments left me with so many questions and worries i couldn’t NOT continue. at this point, my soul lives in alabaster pen. thats really concerning but you get the point, metaphor, thanks.
trevel is a new character that gets introduced in brainwashed and honestly i had barely no thoughts about him. but um i actually really liked him from the start.
no thoughts about byron before my reading because he was barely there in the first four books. and when he was there, either he was complaining or arguing with lex and ren.
but really, the more i kept going, the more my opinion was changing. it’s about revenge. it’s infuriating and you absolutely can’t read this before reading the first four books or else you’ll get spoiled on EVERYTHING. i did not like the "revenge" part, it was very annoying. but it’s just because i wanted everyone to be happy.
and somewhat i got it. everything did a 180 and i was happy again. it was all very confusing. i cried a few times the last 25%. see, i’ve become so attached to these characters, as crazy as it sounds, so of course i get emotional.
this book was a lot. but it also was amazing. i devoured the shit out of this.
i really loved trevel and byron individually. more than the two of them together. i think the highlight of this book was the last 20%. my heart is so full. and i’m definitely happier than in the beginning where i couldn’t see myself enjoying this.
this book being 800+ pages is crazy but you will never see me complain because i could be reading 2748595 more pages about alabaster pen.
book six TERRIFIES me. i don’t know how nyla k could be writing a redemption arc for manuel blanco but i’m intrigued to know. because damn, so far, this man deserves to d!e in the sharks infested waters.
here’s my ranking of the series so far :
1. fragments
2. brainwashed
3. joyless
4. distorted
5. shadowman
August 24, 2025
Wow! Just wow!
To start off, if you haven't read the previous Alabaster Penitentiary books, start with Distorted. This is book 5 of an interwoven, multilayered, endorphin triggering, emotional, HOT AF series. There is a final book scheduled to be released in March. You absolutely should start the series, but BEWARE- it is highly addicting!
It's full of humor and extremely well executed 🔥 scenes. There's no fade to black or cookie cutter bs.
It's full of so many emotions 🥰🫢😍🫠🥵😭🤬🥵💔🥵❤️🔥🥵😑😫😰😱🥵🤯🥰🥰🥰🥵🤯!!!
The characters are remarkably complex. The Found Family aspect of this series is one of most incredible I've had the pleasure of reading. You grow so attached to the characters, it feels like they are a part of your family as well 🥰.
In Shadowman, some answers to questions we had from the previous books are revealed. Notice, I said SOME lol. Everything will come together in The Ivory, and I cannot wait!!! We do learn A LOT in Shadowman, though.
Shadowman's MMCs 🥰, Byron and Trevel, are perfect for each other.
Byron has always been on the outside.. or in the shadows. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride energy. Every time he found connection in his life, it was ripped away😥. He is a baddie 💪, and not only physically, but he fights pretty dang hard to hold onto the "straight" label 😂.
Trevel's backstory is heartbreaking. His total focus is on vengeance...until he meets Byron. Then, it's Byron and Vengeance 😂.
I can't say too much because I dont want to spoil the story. I also feel the mystery around the characters themselves leading up to this book is important. The layers are peeled back as you read.
There is a lot of action in this book! Everything comes to a head, and it's flipping WILD.
Read the series, please 🙏. If you like dark romance with bursts of brightness, found family, morally gray ..sometimes black..complex characters, mystery, humor, REVENGE, f-hot 🔥 scenes, and riding a rollercoaster of emotions..this is for you!
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 *I feel like spice isn't an adequate term for what this series offers, but it's the term I use for reviews, so there it is 🤷♀️.
*I received an ARC copy from Nyla K, but this review is 100% honest.
To start off, if you haven't read the previous Alabaster Penitentiary books, start with Distorted. This is book 5 of an interwoven, multilayered, endorphin triggering, emotional, HOT AF series. There is a final book scheduled to be released in March. You absolutely should start the series, but BEWARE- it is highly addicting!
It's full of humor and extremely well executed 🔥 scenes. There's no fade to black or cookie cutter bs.
It's full of so many emotions 🥰🫢😍🫠🥵😭🤬🥵💔🥵❤️🔥🥵😑😫😰😱🥵🤯🥰🥰🥰🥵🤯!!!
The characters are remarkably complex. The Found Family aspect of this series is one of most incredible I've had the pleasure of reading. You grow so attached to the characters, it feels like they are a part of your family as well 🥰.
In Shadowman, some answers to questions we had from the previous books are revealed. Notice, I said SOME lol. Everything will come together in The Ivory, and I cannot wait!!! We do learn A LOT in Shadowman, though.
Shadowman's MMCs 🥰, Byron and Trevel, are perfect for each other.
Byron has always been on the outside.. or in the shadows. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride energy. Every time he found connection in his life, it was ripped away😥. He is a baddie 💪, and not only physically, but he fights pretty dang hard to hold onto the "straight" label 😂.
Trevel's backstory is heartbreaking. His total focus is on vengeance...until he meets Byron. Then, it's Byron and Vengeance 😂.
I can't say too much because I dont want to spoil the story. I also feel the mystery around the characters themselves leading up to this book is important. The layers are peeled back as you read.
There is a lot of action in this book! Everything comes to a head, and it's flipping WILD.
Read the series, please 🙏. If you like dark romance with bursts of brightness, found family, morally gray ..sometimes black..complex characters, mystery, humor, REVENGE, f-hot 🔥 scenes, and riding a rollercoaster of emotions..this is for you!
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 *I feel like spice isn't an adequate term for what this series offers, but it's the term I use for reviews, so there it is 🤷♀️.
*I received an ARC copy from Nyla K, but this review is 100% honest.
August 20, 2025
Going in I thought “oh theres no way im going to like these two”… it did not take long for Nyla K to prove me wrong once again.
In this book we get to see inside the minds of Byron Kang and Trevel Fenwick and we get to see what made them who they are and what makes them tick. Everything you think you knew about these two, throw it out the window because I can guarantee you, you’re most likely wrong. Their character development was beyond what I was expecting for these two. We also finally get some questions answered about the Ivory but as always in Nyla fashion, every question answered leads to more. The drama, mystery, suspense it all accumulates into a jaw dropping final showdown on Alabaster Isle in preparation for the Grand Finale coming up.
In all honesty I was ready to hate this book but as usual Nyla said “hold my shit” and proved me wrong.
I absolutely CANNOT wait for the Grand Finally, Alabaster Pen vol.6 IVORY
5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Must Read!!
In this book we get to see inside the minds of Byron Kang and Trevel Fenwick and we get to see what made them who they are and what makes them tick. Everything you think you knew about these two, throw it out the window because I can guarantee you, you’re most likely wrong. Their character development was beyond what I was expecting for these two. We also finally get some questions answered about the Ivory but as always in Nyla fashion, every question answered leads to more. The drama, mystery, suspense it all accumulates into a jaw dropping final showdown on Alabaster Isle in preparation for the Grand Finale coming up.
In all honesty I was ready to hate this book but as usual Nyla said “hold my shit” and proved me wrong.
I absolutely CANNOT wait for the Grand Finally, Alabaster Pen vol.6 IVORY
5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Must Read!!
September 5, 2025
"Daddy..."
I whisper to myself every time the Ivory enters a room.
God, this book was so worth the wait.
It was so great to spend time with all my prison besties again. With cameos from characters that we haven't hung out with properly since book ONE, this book hit all the buttons.
I loved how long it was and how much care was given to Kang and Trevel's back stories, and I couldn't get enough of how batshit crazy the both of them were.
I loved getting to spend so much time with our little Alabaster Pen found family.
I loved how complex many of these relationships are and how we lived in the 'grey' area for this entire book.
But most of all... I loved the frickin Ivory. Such a great villain. And I also think it's hilarious that he's high key just as much of a slut as Ren... like who hasn't he fooked at this point?
This series will forever be a comfort read and I'm so happy to have another book to revisit over and over when I'm missing these little psychos.
God, this book was so worth the wait.
It was so great to spend time with all my prison besties again. With cameos from characters that we haven't hung out with properly since book ONE, this book hit all the buttons.
I loved how long it was and how much care was given to Kang and Trevel's back stories, and I couldn't get enough of how batshit crazy the both of them were.
I loved getting to spend so much time with our little Alabaster Pen found family.
I loved how complex many of these relationships are and how we lived in the 'grey' area for this entire book.
But most of all... I loved the frickin Ivory. Such a great villain. And I also think it's hilarious that he's high key just as much of a slut as Ren... like who hasn't he fooked at this point?
This series will forever be a comfort read and I'm so happy to have another book to revisit over and over when I'm missing these little psychos.
Currently reading
September 15, 2025GIVE ME THIS DAMN BOOK PLS. I need Nyla to drop something, I’ve been in a slump 😔
August 16, 2025
“Show me sorrow, shadow creature.” 🧡⛓️💥
Boy oh boy…Shadowman was a thick one…
As Nyla mentioned Shadowman is one of her longer books. Nearly if not more than TBIBR, page count wise. However do not be deterred!!! What becomes abundantly clear within the first few chapters is that Nyla is laying the foundation by introducing the MMC’s origins, their vices, and just how they came to be inmates on Alabaster Isle.
With that being said I DEVOURED every page and then some. From start to finish Nyla weaved a story that will have you enraptured. From the birth of the “Shadowman”, to Trev’s imaginary friend, and even more incite into the “crazy crew” that is Alabaster’s staff, and prisoners. And just when you think you’ve got a grasp on what’s going to happen, think again.
In the previous installments I think we’ve all be intrigued as to who is the elusive Byron Kang, Dr. Love’s former violet eyed patient and does he have nefarious intentions. However, I was totally unprepared for the twists, turn, and the depths of these twos personalities. In true Alabaster Pen fashion, these two are a bit twisted but are ultimately perfect for each other.
As the story progresses you’ll be reunited with some of your favs, conjure up even more questions about the elusive Ivory, and possibly ask what else could possible happen. Just know..the answer is ALOT.
Overall, in true Nyla K fashion Shadowman is hot, twisty, and keeps you guessing right until the very last page. Now I’m left to wonder..what will the Ivory’s story and epic conclusion entail.
Boy oh boy…Shadowman was a thick one…
As Nyla mentioned Shadowman is one of her longer books. Nearly if not more than TBIBR, page count wise. However do not be deterred!!! What becomes abundantly clear within the first few chapters is that Nyla is laying the foundation by introducing the MMC’s origins, their vices, and just how they came to be inmates on Alabaster Isle.
With that being said I DEVOURED every page and then some. From start to finish Nyla weaved a story that will have you enraptured. From the birth of the “Shadowman”, to Trev’s imaginary friend, and even more incite into the “crazy crew” that is Alabaster’s staff, and prisoners. And just when you think you’ve got a grasp on what’s going to happen, think again.
In the previous installments I think we’ve all be intrigued as to who is the elusive Byron Kang, Dr. Love’s former violet eyed patient and does he have nefarious intentions. However, I was totally unprepared for the twists, turn, and the depths of these twos personalities. In true Alabaster Pen fashion, these two are a bit twisted but are ultimately perfect for each other.
As the story progresses you’ll be reunited with some of your favs, conjure up even more questions about the elusive Ivory, and possibly ask what else could possible happen. Just know..the answer is ALOT.
Overall, in true Nyla K fashion Shadowman is hot, twisty, and keeps you guessing right until the very last page. Now I’m left to wonder..what will the Ivory’s story and epic conclusion entail.
August 29, 2025
Shadowman (Alabaster Penitentiary 5)
⭐ 5 goddamn stars!!
Coming back to Alabaster after more than two years is like coming home for the holidays but darker and messed up 😅
I’m back inside the prison, back with my favorite characters, and getting more of Byron, it’s indescribable. I enjoy every second, and that ending leaves me in shock. I need more... MOOOOORE.
Byron and Trevel are inevitable. Jealousy and revenge push them forward, but the slow growth, the layers peeling back, the way they open up to each other, the fear of being alone. They’re made for each other, even if it hurts.
Get ready for a full roller coaster of confusion, action, adrenaline, tears (but not all bad, some scenes have me jumping and yelling).
Nyla K delivers another masterpiece. I don’t know what I’ll do when Ivory (book six, the last) lands, because this series will leave a huge hole in my heart. It’s already one of my all-time favorites.
Best found family, the most twisted spicy scenes, relentless action, tight plot, brutal romance. No, seriously... there are no words. Shadowman is the perfect prelude to a finale that’s going to be EPIC!.
Always check the TW.
⭐ 5 goddamn stars!!
Coming back to Alabaster after more than two years is like coming home for the holidays but darker and messed up 😅
I’m back inside the prison, back with my favorite characters, and getting more of Byron, it’s indescribable. I enjoy every second, and that ending leaves me in shock. I need more... MOOOOORE.
Byron and Trevel are inevitable. Jealousy and revenge push them forward, but the slow growth, the layers peeling back, the way they open up to each other, the fear of being alone. They’re made for each other, even if it hurts.
Get ready for a full roller coaster of confusion, action, adrenaline, tears (but not all bad, some scenes have me jumping and yelling).
Nyla K delivers another masterpiece. I don’t know what I’ll do when Ivory (book six, the last) lands, because this series will leave a huge hole in my heart. It’s already one of my all-time favorites.
Best found family, the most twisted spicy scenes, relentless action, tight plot, brutal romance. No, seriously... there are no words. Shadowman is the perfect prelude to a finale that’s going to be EPIC!.
Always check the TW.
August 17, 2025
Wow. Wow wow.
Wow. 🤯
Ok, so reading the afterword, Byron was meant to just be a side character in the planning phase of AP?! Ummm! Glad he got his time to shine! ✨ Literally brought out of the shadows. FRFR.
The stories upwardly just keep getting better and better. And I literally DO NOT CARE that they just keep getting bigger and bigger. Give it all to me! 🧡💜
Anyway, final thoughts? Total win. Nyla, you've friggin done it again. 👏🏻
Wow. 🤯
Ok, so reading the afterword, Byron was meant to just be a side character in the planning phase of AP?! Ummm! Glad he got his time to shine! ✨ Literally brought out of the shadows. FRFR.
The stories upwardly just keep getting better and better. And I literally DO NOT CARE that they just keep getting bigger and bigger. Give it all to me! 🧡💜
Anyway, final thoughts? Total win. Nyla, you've friggin done it again. 👏🏻
September 4, 2025
TL;DR - Bryron and Kang have no chemistry, too many nicknames does not a romance make, The Ivory is my fave, and British beta readers should be a thing.
This wasn’t the story I was hoping for unfortunately, but there were some parts that I enjoyed.
Shadowman lifts the veil on Alabaster’s resident chaotic bisexual recluse, Byron Kang, whilst also introducing us to Trevel Fenwick, the new Brit on the block. In true AP fashion, we take a detailed dive into both character’s pasts, as well as catching up with their time in the Pen so far, and seeing their relationship unfold. Then FINALLY, after all of that (and about 650 pages), we get to see what happened after the ending of Fragments…
My favourite parts of the book were undoubtedly the flashbacks, and especially Byron’s Book of Secrets. ‘Byron’s’ writing was captivating and emotive, and I became so invested in his relationship with Michelangelo (and Ren), despite knowing it wasn’t the focus of the main story, and therein lies one of my problems with it. In general, I enjoyed getting to know the characters better, and understanding their feelings and origins.
However, when it came to Trevel and Byron together… I felt nothing. It took a long ass time for the two of them to even meet, and when they did, their focus was mainly on other people. They hooked up a lot, but by the end of the book, I honestly didn’t understand why or how they were in love. The abundance of nicknames was more irritating than cute, and I spent the entire book just wishing Byron and Michelangelo would reunite. Sorry.
I also would have liked to see Trevel’s character portrayed more accurately, as Nyla basically wrote a cartoonish British stereotype, and as a Brit myself, it made me cringe hard. I’m sure the majority of her readers won’t care, but I did, and it would have been an easy fix.
In terms of the plot, I was also kinda underwhelmed. I had expected much more of the book to take place after Fragments, but that’s only a very small part of it. When the action does ramp up, we’re then left with a 1 year time jump, and the assumption that the next book will fill us in on what happened, making it abundantly clear that this book was a last minute addition to the series.
Also, please stop trying to make Velle and Joy happen. They are not going to happen. How on earth they think they’re owed loyalty after wielding power over all the inmates for years, even assaulting them on some occasions, is beyond me. I don’t understand the guards being part of the AP found family dynamic. It doesn’t make sense. Nor does the return of certain characters to the island, but if I get into all of that then I won’t stop.
One thing I did really enjoy about this book, however, was the abundance of scenes with The Ivory. I find him fascinating as a character, and I’m excited whenever he appears. Here’s to hoping that his book is better, and he doesn’t receive the redemption treatment. He is a great villain!
Overall, this certainly wasn’t my favourite, but it was better than Joyless, so it has that going for it at least. Aside from everything I’ve mentioned, I think I would have enjoyed it more if the plot picked up sooner, and if Trevel and Byron had more time together to build their relationship.
This wasn’t the story I was hoping for unfortunately, but there were some parts that I enjoyed.
Shadowman lifts the veil on Alabaster’s resident chaotic bisexual recluse, Byron Kang, whilst also introducing us to Trevel Fenwick, the new Brit on the block. In true AP fashion, we take a detailed dive into both character’s pasts, as well as catching up with their time in the Pen so far, and seeing their relationship unfold. Then FINALLY, after all of that (and about 650 pages), we get to see what happened after the ending of Fragments…
My favourite parts of the book were undoubtedly the flashbacks, and especially Byron’s Book of Secrets. ‘Byron’s’ writing was captivating and emotive, and I became so invested in his relationship with Michelangelo (and Ren), despite knowing it wasn’t the focus of the main story, and therein lies one of my problems with it. In general, I enjoyed getting to know the characters better, and understanding their feelings and origins.
However, when it came to Trevel and Byron together… I felt nothing. It took a long ass time for the two of them to even meet, and when they did, their focus was mainly on other people. They hooked up a lot, but by the end of the book, I honestly didn’t understand why or how they were in love. The abundance of nicknames was more irritating than cute, and I spent the entire book just wishing Byron and Michelangelo would reunite. Sorry.
I also would have liked to see Trevel’s character portrayed more accurately, as Nyla basically wrote a cartoonish British stereotype, and as a Brit myself, it made me cringe hard. I’m sure the majority of her readers won’t care, but I did, and it would have been an easy fix.
In terms of the plot, I was also kinda underwhelmed. I had expected much more of the book to take place after Fragments, but that’s only a very small part of it. When the action does ramp up, we’re then left with a 1 year time jump, and the assumption that the next book will fill us in on what happened, making it abundantly clear that this book was a last minute addition to the series.
Also, please stop trying to make Velle and Joy happen. They are not going to happen. How on earth they think they’re owed loyalty after wielding power over all the inmates for years, even assaulting them on some occasions, is beyond me. I don’t understand the guards being part of the AP found family dynamic. It doesn’t make sense. Nor does the return of certain characters to the island, but if I get into all of that then I won’t stop.
One thing I did really enjoy about this book, however, was the abundance of scenes with The Ivory. I find him fascinating as a character, and I’m excited whenever he appears. Here’s to hoping that his book is better, and he doesn’t receive the redemption treatment. He is a great villain!
Overall, this certainly wasn’t my favourite, but it was better than Joyless, so it has that going for it at least. Aside from everything I’ve mentioned, I think I would have enjoyed it more if the plot picked up sooner, and if Trevel and Byron had more time together to build their relationship.
August 31, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
God this felt like a chore to read. I usually devour Nyla’s books in a day but it took me a WEEK to read this. I never found myself wanting to pick it up and I ended up skimming a LOT of it because it was so unnecessarily long. I didn’t find myself caring about either of the characters, either. I know Nyla wanted to give Byron his moment but it seemed random to me and not as concise or thought out as the other books. The recap/overlap in the beginning took AGEEESSSS. Like oh my god. She gave us a warning that the characters didn’t meet until after chapter 10 (which is hundreds of pages in) but we still had SO far to go until the plot became fresh and new again. There was absolutely NO reason why this book was over 800 pages long. We went from recap plot recap plot recap plot to sex sex sex sex to recap plot to new plot new plot new plot and by the time we FINALLY got to the new plot I found myself not caring. I had already read over 600 pages at that point!!!! Nyla usually hits for me but this was a huge miss. I’m still going to read the next book to see how everything plays out but I fear this series should’ve ended with Fragments.
God this felt like a chore to read. I usually devour Nyla’s books in a day but it took me a WEEK to read this. I never found myself wanting to pick it up and I ended up skimming a LOT of it because it was so unnecessarily long. I didn’t find myself caring about either of the characters, either. I know Nyla wanted to give Byron his moment but it seemed random to me and not as concise or thought out as the other books. The recap/overlap in the beginning took AGEEESSSS. Like oh my god. She gave us a warning that the characters didn’t meet until after chapter 10 (which is hundreds of pages in) but we still had SO far to go until the plot became fresh and new again. There was absolutely NO reason why this book was over 800 pages long. We went from recap plot recap plot recap plot to sex sex sex sex to recap plot to new plot new plot new plot and by the time we FINALLY got to the new plot I found myself not caring. I had already read over 600 pages at that point!!!! Nyla usually hits for me but this was a huge miss. I’m still going to read the next book to see how everything plays out but I fear this series should’ve ended with Fragments.
December 22, 2025
Jesus what is Nyla K putting in these books? Literal cocaine?! Because I am absolutely addicted. This is the 5th in the Alabaster Penitentiary series, which HAS to be read in order.
One of the reasons that I love this series, is that all of the plots are happening simultaneously; each book focuses on different MCs and you get to see what is happening through each of their eyes. It also fills in gaps in the story that you’re missing - for example something happened in book one that never quite made sense to me… now I know exactly what happened as we saw it through another characters eyes in this book! Talk about payoff!
This book, as with all of them, is dark. We’re talking unchecked mental illness, murder, rape, trauma, ptsd, abuse… a whole cocktail of misery. But there’s also an absolutely rock-solid found family of weirdos, who despite the bickering and in-fighting would take a bullet for one another. Literally.
I am so excited for the final book in the series, as I feel like we just need that one final layer to make everything make perfect sense in the twisted, horrifying world of Alabaster Pen. So if you’re looking for a fucked-up, twisted, emotionally harrowing and deviously clever and hot-as-hell series, where the reader is just as in the dark as the prisoners, I completely recommend this! (But please check the TW 💕)
Read Shadowman for:
✨ 5th book in the series (read in order)
✨ Interwoven storylines between books
✨ Each book gives more context
✨ Unreliable narrators
✨ Forced proximity, prison setting
✨ Morally grey characters
✨ Laundry list of TW (pls check!)
✨ Blood, gore, fighting, fleeing, fucking
✨ Scorching hot scenes
✨ Coming out as bi 🌈
✨ Found family
✨ Asian-American MC x British MC
One of the reasons that I love this series, is that all of the plots are happening simultaneously; each book focuses on different MCs and you get to see what is happening through each of their eyes. It also fills in gaps in the story that you’re missing - for example something happened in book one that never quite made sense to me… now I know exactly what happened as we saw it through another characters eyes in this book! Talk about payoff!
This book, as with all of them, is dark. We’re talking unchecked mental illness, murder, rape, trauma, ptsd, abuse… a whole cocktail of misery. But there’s also an absolutely rock-solid found family of weirdos, who despite the bickering and in-fighting would take a bullet for one another. Literally.
I am so excited for the final book in the series, as I feel like we just need that one final layer to make everything make perfect sense in the twisted, horrifying world of Alabaster Pen. So if you’re looking for a fucked-up, twisted, emotionally harrowing and deviously clever and hot-as-hell series, where the reader is just as in the dark as the prisoners, I completely recommend this! (But please check the TW 💕)
Read Shadowman for:
✨ 5th book in the series (read in order)
✨ Interwoven storylines between books
✨ Each book gives more context
✨ Unreliable narrators
✨ Forced proximity, prison setting
✨ Morally grey characters
✨ Laundry list of TW (pls check!)
✨ Blood, gore, fighting, fleeing, fucking
✨ Scorching hot scenes
✨ Coming out as bi 🌈
✨ Found family
✨ Asian-American MC x British MC
August 24, 2025
"There’s an abundance of D available in Alabaster Pen… But definitely not the kind you get from sunshine." 🤎
I’ve loved the Alabaster Penitentiary series since the very beginning – it’s dark, it’s twisted, it’s messy in all the ways I enjoy – so when Shadowman finally released, I had it downloaded the second it went live. I went in with sky-high expectations, and while I definitely didn’t hate it, I ended up feeling a little more “whelmed” than blown away. This book is huge – almost 850 pages – and I honestly felt that weight while reading it. For me, the pacing was the biggest struggle. Not a lot really happens until about 70% of the way through, and I felt it dragged to the point where I was tempted to put it down. It’s not that the writing wasn’t strong (Nyla K always delivers with her dark, lyrical, slightly chaotic prose), but there was so much happening that didn't seem important, that it slowed the story down.
That being said, once the action and revelations finally hit, I was locked in again. The tropes and themes are still everything that make this series such an addictive ride: MM dark romance, forced proximity inside the prison walls, the brutal fighter paired with the completely unhinged psychopath (with his imaginary friend making plenty of appearances), a messy bi-awakening, “delulu to lovers” energy, and a complicated tangle of betrayal, trauma, and twisted loyalty. It’s heavy on the psychological elements, which makes the romance both disturbing and tender at the same time.
Even though this wasn’t my favourite instalment, I still enjoyed being back in this world and seeing how these broken, damaged characters connect in ways that are strangely beautiful. The atmosphere is as tense and gritty as ever, and the way Nyla K leans into the darkness without ever completely giving up on hope is one of the things I admire most about her writing. So yes, Shadowman was longer than it needed to be and didn’t completely hit the mark for me, but I don’t regret reading it for a second. I’m still invested, still hooked, and I can’t wait to see how the final book ties all of this chaos together.
I’ve loved the Alabaster Penitentiary series since the very beginning – it’s dark, it’s twisted, it’s messy in all the ways I enjoy – so when Shadowman finally released, I had it downloaded the second it went live. I went in with sky-high expectations, and while I definitely didn’t hate it, I ended up feeling a little more “whelmed” than blown away. This book is huge – almost 850 pages – and I honestly felt that weight while reading it. For me, the pacing was the biggest struggle. Not a lot really happens until about 70% of the way through, and I felt it dragged to the point where I was tempted to put it down. It’s not that the writing wasn’t strong (Nyla K always delivers with her dark, lyrical, slightly chaotic prose), but there was so much happening that didn't seem important, that it slowed the story down.
That being said, once the action and revelations finally hit, I was locked in again. The tropes and themes are still everything that make this series such an addictive ride: MM dark romance, forced proximity inside the prison walls, the brutal fighter paired with the completely unhinged psychopath (with his imaginary friend making plenty of appearances), a messy bi-awakening, “delulu to lovers” energy, and a complicated tangle of betrayal, trauma, and twisted loyalty. It’s heavy on the psychological elements, which makes the romance both disturbing and tender at the same time.
Even though this wasn’t my favourite instalment, I still enjoyed being back in this world and seeing how these broken, damaged characters connect in ways that are strangely beautiful. The atmosphere is as tense and gritty as ever, and the way Nyla K leans into the darkness without ever completely giving up on hope is one of the things I admire most about her writing. So yes, Shadowman was longer than it needed to be and didn’t completely hit the mark for me, but I don’t regret reading it for a second. I’m still invested, still hooked, and I can’t wait to see how the final book ties all of this chaos together.
Currently reading
September 4, 2025When is this outtttt
![Profile Image for ash[hearts]angst.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1765847299i%2F164504656._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 19, 2025
Y'all... you've seen my updates. You've seen my reactions.. But I can promise you that those are nothing compared to what I feel for this book in my HEART. My BONES. My gawd. Nyla done sucked a girl dry with this one! Dare I say.... the hottest book of the series? 👀🥵🥵🥵🥵
Byron Kang.. you sweet fucking baby angel. The POV we NEEDED to piece it all together. Our beautiful, broken Shadowman, who just wants someone to see him, choose him, and love him. my heart yearns for this man y'all. We had no clue. I wasn't prepared for how emotional this book would make me.
And our emo daddy Trevel... mmm lol. If you took Felix Darcey and meshed him together with Xavier Warren, you'd get Trevel Fenwick. This crazy, caring, filthy and irresistible mystery man was everything Alabaster Pen needed and more. The way he takes care of Byron, the way he hates for him. So yummy!
ANDDDDD we get more of all of our favorite boys 🥹 I'm going to be an emotional wreck when this series ends. I'm mad as hell with the ending of this book 😂 BUT I know why Nyla had to do it. I get it, I get it. Obsessed with this series is an understatement!
↬“Fucking hell, you’re so pretty, baby.”
↬"Ren’s the slutty one. Luthor is the smart one. Dash is the sweet, broken boy. Felix is the lovable lunatic. The Ivory is evil… Velle’s gonna win. And I’m the lone wolf. On the outside, looking in."
↬"Oh, Byron… My fury. My warrior. My Raphael… You’re all I want. But I’m terrified that you’ll get sick of me when you realize how much work it is to love me."
↬"Fucking hell. Grouchy, a little cocky, and feral for secret gay stuff… Why is that such an unbearably hot combination??"
↬“God, you’re filthy perfection, Byron Kang. I’m gonna breed you like the good boy you are. Drain my balls in your sweet ass just like you did to me while I was fucking sleeping…” “Fuck!” “Fuck is right. Get me off with this hole, baby.” “Come in me…” I plead, and he snarls. “Beg for it.”
↬"Depression is sexy, especially on Byron. And past trauma? Rawr. There’s something so irresistible about a hot boy with baggage."
Byron Kang.. you sweet fucking baby angel. The POV we NEEDED to piece it all together. Our beautiful, broken Shadowman, who just wants someone to see him, choose him, and love him. my heart yearns for this man y'all. We had no clue. I wasn't prepared for how emotional this book would make me.
And our emo daddy Trevel... mmm lol. If you took Felix Darcey and meshed him together with Xavier Warren, you'd get Trevel Fenwick. This crazy, caring, filthy and irresistible mystery man was everything Alabaster Pen needed and more. The way he takes care of Byron, the way he hates for him. So yummy!
ANDDDDD we get more of all of our favorite boys 🥹 I'm going to be an emotional wreck when this series ends. I'm mad as hell with the ending of this book 😂 BUT I know why Nyla had to do it. I get it, I get it. Obsessed with this series is an understatement!
↬“Fucking hell, you’re so pretty, baby.”
↬"Ren’s the slutty one. Luthor is the smart one. Dash is the sweet, broken boy. Felix is the lovable lunatic. The Ivory is evil… Velle’s gonna win. And I’m the lone wolf. On the outside, looking in."
↬"Oh, Byron… My fury. My warrior. My Raphael… You’re all I want. But I’m terrified that you’ll get sick of me when you realize how much work it is to love me."
↬"Fucking hell. Grouchy, a little cocky, and feral for secret gay stuff… Why is that such an unbearably hot combination??"
↬“God, you’re filthy perfection, Byron Kang. I’m gonna breed you like the good boy you are. Drain my balls in your sweet ass just like you did to me while I was fucking sleeping…” “Fuck!” “Fuck is right. Get me off with this hole, baby.” “Come in me…” I plead, and he snarls. “Beg for it.”
↬"Depression is sexy, especially on Byron. And past trauma? Rawr. There’s something so irresistible about a hot boy with baggage."
August 24, 2025
Worth the wait, Nyla K did it again 😭❤️
I really felt for Byron in this book. Growing up asian with strict parents is never easy, especially with such a taboo topic as sexuality. Trevor's story also broke my heart, but these two broken souls found each other in an even more broken place. Although the ending is a cliffhanger to the story. I'm happy with their epilogues and was so excited to see all the other characters again. I don't look forward to the last book because it's the Warden's book, but who knows Nyla K might surprise me.
Also, this book didn't feel like it was 840 pages at all??? The pages flew by, and I loved every single detail I got. Usually, I would say that no romance book should be above 500 pages. There are, of course, exceptions, and this is one of the exceptions!
I really felt for Byron in this book. Growing up asian with strict parents is never easy, especially with such a taboo topic as sexuality. Trevor's story also broke my heart, but these two broken souls found each other in an even more broken place. Although the ending is a cliffhanger to the story. I'm happy with their epilogues and was so excited to see all the other characters again. I don't look forward to the last book because it's the Warden's book, but who knows Nyla K might surprise me.
Also, this book didn't feel like it was 840 pages at all??? The pages flew by, and I loved every single detail I got. Usually, I would say that no romance book should be above 500 pages. There are, of course, exceptions, and this is one of the exceptions!
November 11, 2025
Holy. Crap. What a wild ride. I’m.. speechless. That was absolutely everything I hoped it would be and more. I love them, I love this found family. I love Felix, I loved the epilogues, and I can’t wait for Ivory. Mr.Blanco.. bring it on baby. I’m ready. What the hell am I even going to say here? IYKYK. That’s all. I could never read another series for as long as I live and be satisfied to stay with the AP boyz forever. The Bible. Goodnight.
October 7, 2025
This book. This series. I’m speechless. I have never read anything that even that even compares. Alabaster Penitentiary is truly a masterpiece—and we haven’t even reached the grand finale yet. How am I supposed to explain that you need to RUN to the bookstore to buy and devour this series immediately? How do I convince you that this is so special you absolutely don’t want to miss it? I’ll try anyway.
Alabaster Penitentiary. How someone can write the most romantic unforgettable love stories with the most unique characters amidst the rotting concrete and decay of the worst hellhole of a prison is beyond me. And yet, that’s exactly what Nyla K. has done. She nearly broke herself in the process—and I understand why. The way it’s constructed is so intricate, so brilliantly woven together, it’s a miracle she’s still standing. With the decaying prison walls as the backdrop, despair and misery hanging heavy in the air, she manages to tell stories that stay with you forever.
Six books (the last one still to come), thirteen multi-layered, unforgettable characters with dark and heartbreaking pasts, one timeline running through all of them, scenes that reappear from different perspectives, shocking twists and turns that leave you breathless, suspense and tension, connections so intense they give you chills, and let’s not forget the spice that Nyla K. does so well. The scenes are meaningful, emotional, and deliciously naughty at the same time. And this fifth book? Just as phenomenal as the others.
Byron Kang never really made much of an impression on me in the earlier books. He felt like an MPC without much of a face, a side character useful to others’ stories but otherwise forgettable. Until now. It was time for him to step out of the shadows and take the lead. And suddenly, there’s Trevel—appearing out of nowhere as prisoner 102. He made Byron shine in the most beautiful way. I loved every second of it—and with 844 pages, that’s a lot of seconds.
These two filled the pages with pure magic. I flew through it without ever getting bored. Both of them are complex, full of secrets, trauma, and fears. They were exactly what the other needed, even if their relationship was codependent and a little toxic at times. And while their love slowly blossomed, their walls coming down piece by piece, the overarching story of Alabaster thundered on without mercy. As readers, we were tossed from left to right, barely able to keep up.
And we end with a HEA—perched right on top of a massive cliffhanger. Now we wait for The Ivory, the self proclaimed king of Alabaster. And I cannot wait. Manuel Blanco is already the most fascinating MC we will ever meet. I have no idea how his redemption will unfold, but I trust Miss Nyla completely.
Alabaster Penitentiary. How someone can write the most romantic unforgettable love stories with the most unique characters amidst the rotting concrete and decay of the worst hellhole of a prison is beyond me. And yet, that’s exactly what Nyla K. has done. She nearly broke herself in the process—and I understand why. The way it’s constructed is so intricate, so brilliantly woven together, it’s a miracle she’s still standing. With the decaying prison walls as the backdrop, despair and misery hanging heavy in the air, she manages to tell stories that stay with you forever.
Six books (the last one still to come), thirteen multi-layered, unforgettable characters with dark and heartbreaking pasts, one timeline running through all of them, scenes that reappear from different perspectives, shocking twists and turns that leave you breathless, suspense and tension, connections so intense they give you chills, and let’s not forget the spice that Nyla K. does so well. The scenes are meaningful, emotional, and deliciously naughty at the same time. And this fifth book? Just as phenomenal as the others.
Byron Kang never really made much of an impression on me in the earlier books. He felt like an MPC without much of a face, a side character useful to others’ stories but otherwise forgettable. Until now. It was time for him to step out of the shadows and take the lead. And suddenly, there’s Trevel—appearing out of nowhere as prisoner 102. He made Byron shine in the most beautiful way. I loved every second of it—and with 844 pages, that’s a lot of seconds.
These two filled the pages with pure magic. I flew through it without ever getting bored. Both of them are complex, full of secrets, trauma, and fears. They were exactly what the other needed, even if their relationship was codependent and a little toxic at times. And while their love slowly blossomed, their walls coming down piece by piece, the overarching story of Alabaster thundered on without mercy. As readers, we were tossed from left to right, barely able to keep up.
And we end with a HEA—perched right on top of a massive cliffhanger. Now we wait for The Ivory, the self proclaimed king of Alabaster. And I cannot wait. Manuel Blanco is already the most fascinating MC we will ever meet. I have no idea how his redemption will unfold, but I trust Miss Nyla completely.
Want to read
June 22, 2024I‘m so ready for this book
August 25, 2025
5 freaking ⭐
This was everything. 🥹
And my baby Feliiiix, uggh! 😭💙💙
This was everything. 🥹
And my baby Feliiiix, uggh! 😭💙💙
August 26, 2025
4⭐️
Whew, this was a big book to get through and at times, stressed me out! But totally worth it for all the backstory we got. Poor sweet Trevel, my heart just broke for everything he’s had to go through in his life. He and Byron were absolutely made for each other, and I loved (and hurt) watching their relationship unfold. Honestly, I never really put much thought into Byron as a character before (sorry, my guy), but I’m so glad we got his story. By the end, I was thankful they got to be coupled up just as lovey-dovey as all the others.
I also have to admit…I was never really on the Dr. Love train before (even in his own book), but somewhere along the way in this one, he completely won me over. And paired with Felix? Perfect. Felix is one of my favorites, and I’ll never stop adoring that little nerdy monster. 🤓
On the flip side, this book reminded me just how much I can’t stand Velle, Joy, and by extension Rook. They’ve been running AP like tyrants for years, and the second things start to crumble, they suddenly expect loyalty from the same people they’ve been abusing? Nah. Couldn’t be me. I’d be petty AF and side with the Ivory just out of spite.
Speaking of the Ivory, I cannot wait for his book. I’m assuming Nyla has a redemption arc lined up, and I’m so curious to see how she redeems his character (or does she).
Those last few chapters? Had me gasping out loud. Definitely excited (and a little nervous) for the final book.
Whew, this was a big book to get through and at times, stressed me out! But totally worth it for all the backstory we got. Poor sweet Trevel, my heart just broke for everything he’s had to go through in his life. He and Byron were absolutely made for each other, and I loved (and hurt) watching their relationship unfold. Honestly, I never really put much thought into Byron as a character before (sorry, my guy), but I’m so glad we got his story. By the end, I was thankful they got to be coupled up just as lovey-dovey as all the others.
I also have to admit…I was never really on the Dr. Love train before (even in his own book), but somewhere along the way in this one, he completely won me over. And paired with Felix? Perfect. Felix is one of my favorites, and I’ll never stop adoring that little nerdy monster. 🤓
On the flip side, this book reminded me just how much I can’t stand Velle, Joy, and by extension Rook. They’ve been running AP like tyrants for years, and the second things start to crumble, they suddenly expect loyalty from the same people they’ve been abusing? Nah. Couldn’t be me. I’d be petty AF and side with the Ivory just out of spite.
Speaking of the Ivory, I cannot wait for his book. I’m assuming Nyla has a redemption arc lined up, and I’m so curious to see how she redeems his character (or does she).
Those last few chapters? Had me gasping out loud. Definitely excited (and a little nervous) for the final book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews