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Claimed by Darkness: Signature Edition
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Expected 27 Apr 27320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 27, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 4, 2026
This was such an emotional ride. Nora’s story is heavy with grief and uncertainty, and I really appreciated how the book explores her mental health struggles while slowly unraveling the mystery around her parents’ deaths.
The paranormal elements with celestials, demons, and the fated mate bond added an intriguing layer to the story, and Kairos was a standout character for me. I loved how emotionally open he was and the tension surrounding their connection.
The story kept me guessing with twists, betrayals, and constantly questioning what was real. The pacing felt a little uneven at times, especially early on, but once things picked up I was fully invested.
Overall, this was an engaging paranormal romance with emotional depth and an interesting world, and I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next.
The paranormal elements with celestials, demons, and the fated mate bond added an intriguing layer to the story, and Kairos was a standout character for me. I loved how emotionally open he was and the tension surrounding their connection.
The story kept me guessing with twists, betrayals, and constantly questioning what was real. The pacing felt a little uneven at times, especially early on, but once things picked up I was fully invested.
Overall, this was an engaging paranormal romance with emotional depth and an interesting world, and I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next.
March 11, 2026
I had the extreme pleasure of getting an ARC copy of this book, thank you to the author!
Sometimes the gods mess up so badly that the fallout becomes everyone else’s problem. Claimed by Darkness leans into that premise in a really fun way—taking a trope we’ve seen before and twisting it just enough to feel fresh.
One of my favorite elements right away was the setting. As someone from Michigan, seeing Mackinac Island and the Mackinac Bridge used as the earthly backdrop was such a treat. It’s not a location that shows up often in fantasy romance, and it added a really unique atmosphere to the opening of the story.
The lore and worldbuilding are also handled really well. The story alternates between present-day POVs (primarily Nora and Kairos) and past POV chapters from Nyx, which I actually loved. Those glimpses into the past added a ton of context and slowly revealed pieces of the larger mythos in a way that felt intentional and layered rather than overwhelming. The pacing of the lore drops was solid, and I appreciated that the author trusted the reader to piece things together over time.
That said… this structure also leads to my biggest qualm with the book.
Because of the nature of the lore and the characters involved, everyone is essentially an unreliable narrator. Which makes sense within the story—but as a reader who loves puzzles and theorizing, it drove me a little insane that some of the information we’re given is incorrect by design. Not in a “lazy writing” way, because it’s clearly intentional and eventually somewhat explained… but in a deeply personal, slightly irrational “this is irritating me on a cellular level” kind of way. I like solving puzzles with the clues I’m given, and it always throws me when the clues themselves are secretly wrong.
Now let’s talk about our MMC situation, because… whew.
I love a good love triangle or why-choose setup, so I went in ready to enjoy the dynamic. Unfortunately, in several moments our boys felt a little like limp noodles.
Ere, my guy… you’re really just going to let your girl wander off with a man she just met? No questions asked? No objections? You’re just going to… peace out? Bold strategy.
And Kairos… sir. You cannot simply show up, tell a woman she’s destined to be something enormous and life-altering, pile all that pressure on her shoulders, and then assume everything is going to be FFFIIINNNEEE.
Respectfully: no.
Terrible celestial decision-making across the board.
But honestly? That almost made them feel more realistic as characters. They’re immortal, winged beings and yet still deeply capable of making absolutely questionable relationship choices. Problematic men, but written well enough that I was still invested in what they were doing.
As for Nora, I really enjoyed her overall arc, though at times I wanted to shake her a little. Girl, maybe if we decentered men and romantic attachment from the center of the universe for like five minutes, we might notice the massive red flags flying around the room. That said… the emotional pull of love and connection is very much part of her character, and it does drive a lot of the story’s tension.
And then there’s that plot twist.
Even with the author teasing things on Instagram beforehand, I genuinely did not see that coming. It was one of those moments where everything suddenly snaps into place and you realize how much was quietly being set up behind the scenes.
Bravo for that.
Overall, Claimed by Darkness delivers a solid mix of celestial lore, fated mates, prophecy, and shadowy magic, with just enough grit to keep things interesting. The romance has a good amount of tension and yearning, the worldbuilding is layered, and the ending absolutely leaves things in a place where you need to know what happens next.
And yes—I will 100% be picking up the sequel, because I need to see how this chaos plays out.
If you’re a fan of ACOTAR but wished it had a slightly darker edge, or if you loved Hunt in Crescent City and wanted a little more yearning and celestial drama, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Sometimes the gods mess up so badly that the fallout becomes everyone else’s problem. Claimed by Darkness leans into that premise in a really fun way—taking a trope we’ve seen before and twisting it just enough to feel fresh.
One of my favorite elements right away was the setting. As someone from Michigan, seeing Mackinac Island and the Mackinac Bridge used as the earthly backdrop was such a treat. It’s not a location that shows up often in fantasy romance, and it added a really unique atmosphere to the opening of the story.
The lore and worldbuilding are also handled really well. The story alternates between present-day POVs (primarily Nora and Kairos) and past POV chapters from Nyx, which I actually loved. Those glimpses into the past added a ton of context and slowly revealed pieces of the larger mythos in a way that felt intentional and layered rather than overwhelming. The pacing of the lore drops was solid, and I appreciated that the author trusted the reader to piece things together over time.
That said… this structure also leads to my biggest qualm with the book.
Because of the nature of the lore and the characters involved, everyone is essentially an unreliable narrator. Which makes sense within the story—but as a reader who loves puzzles and theorizing, it drove me a little insane that some of the information we’re given is incorrect by design. Not in a “lazy writing” way, because it’s clearly intentional and eventually somewhat explained… but in a deeply personal, slightly irrational “this is irritating me on a cellular level” kind of way. I like solving puzzles with the clues I’m given, and it always throws me when the clues themselves are secretly wrong.
Now let’s talk about our MMC situation, because… whew.
I love a good love triangle or why-choose setup, so I went in ready to enjoy the dynamic. Unfortunately, in several moments our boys felt a little like limp noodles.
Ere, my guy… you’re really just going to let your girl wander off with a man she just met? No questions asked? No objections? You’re just going to… peace out? Bold strategy.
And Kairos… sir. You cannot simply show up, tell a woman she’s destined to be something enormous and life-altering, pile all that pressure on her shoulders, and then assume everything is going to be FFFIIINNNEEE.
Respectfully: no.
Terrible celestial decision-making across the board.
But honestly? That almost made them feel more realistic as characters. They’re immortal, winged beings and yet still deeply capable of making absolutely questionable relationship choices. Problematic men, but written well enough that I was still invested in what they were doing.
As for Nora, I really enjoyed her overall arc, though at times I wanted to shake her a little. Girl, maybe if we decentered men and romantic attachment from the center of the universe for like five minutes, we might notice the massive red flags flying around the room. That said… the emotional pull of love and connection is very much part of her character, and it does drive a lot of the story’s tension.
And then there’s that plot twist.
Even with the author teasing things on Instagram beforehand, I genuinely did not see that coming. It was one of those moments where everything suddenly snaps into place and you realize how much was quietly being set up behind the scenes.
Bravo for that.
Overall, Claimed by Darkness delivers a solid mix of celestial lore, fated mates, prophecy, and shadowy magic, with just enough grit to keep things interesting. The romance has a good amount of tension and yearning, the worldbuilding is layered, and the ending absolutely leaves things in a place where you need to know what happens next.
And yes—I will 100% be picking up the sequel, because I need to see how this chaos plays out.
If you’re a fan of ACOTAR but wished it had a slightly darker edge, or if you loved Hunt in Crescent City and wanted a little more yearning and celestial drama, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Claimed by Darkness Claimed by Darkness
S.R. Hartley
ARC Review
I might need to be checked for emotional whiplash after finishing this book.
The dedication alone let me know that this was going to be a hurricane of psychological turmoil, in the best way possible.
Claimed by Darkness follows Nora who falls into a deep depression after the death of her parents. She is distraught and feels in her heart that there is more to their deaths than meets the eye. She’s not sure what is real or if she truly is losing her mind.
Anyone who has struggled with mental health will immediately feel connected to Nora. She’s strong even in her darkest moments and her story is one of hope and healing.
Now let’s talk our MMCs. Hartley keeps us guessing when it comes to who Nora is truly meant to love. Is it Kairos, the sweet, protective celestial who believes that Nora is his fated mate and vows to protect her from the darkness? Or, is it Erebus the man she already loves and who helps her heal by embracing the darkness within herself? I’m surely not going to give anything away, but this story will have you questioning everything.
I can’t go without mentioning Nyx, our villainess. She’s not your typical one dimensional villain. We become invested in her story and it will rip your heart out maybe even more than Nora’s.
Hartley has created a beautiful new world with characters you want to know everything about and will leave you longing for the next book in the series.
Available now for preorder.
S.R. Hartley
I might need to be checked for emotional whiplash after finishing this book.
The dedication alone let me know that this was going to be a hurricane of psychological turmoil, in the best way possible.
Claimed by Darkness follows Nora who falls into a deep depression after the death of her parents. She is distraught and feels in her heart that there is more to their deaths than meets the eye. She’s not sure what is real or if she truly is losing her mind.
Anyone who has struggled with mental health will immediately feel connected to Nora. She’s strong even in her darkest moments and her story is one of hope and healing.
Now let’s talk our MMCs. Hartley keeps us guessing when it comes to who Nora is truly meant to love. Is it Kairos, the sweet, protective celestial who believes that Nora is his fated mate and vows to protect her from the darkness? Or, is it Erebus, the man she already loves and who helps her heal by embracing the darkness within herself? I’m surely not going to give anything away, but this story will have you questioning everything.
I can’t go without mentioning Nyx, our villainess. She’s not your typical one dimensional villain. We become invested in her story and it will rip your heart out maybe even more than Nora’s.
Hartley has created a beautiful new world with characters you want to know everything about and will leave you longing for the next book in the series.
Available now for preorder.
S.R. Hartley
ARC Review
I might need to be checked for emotional whiplash after finishing this book.
The dedication alone let me know that this was going to be a hurricane of psychological turmoil, in the best way possible.
Claimed by Darkness follows Nora who falls into a deep depression after the death of her parents. She is distraught and feels in her heart that there is more to their deaths than meets the eye. She’s not sure what is real or if she truly is losing her mind.
Anyone who has struggled with mental health will immediately feel connected to Nora. She’s strong even in her darkest moments and her story is one of hope and healing.
Now let’s talk our MMCs. Hartley keeps us guessing when it comes to who Nora is truly meant to love. Is it Kairos, the sweet, protective celestial who believes that Nora is his fated mate and vows to protect her from the darkness? Or, is it Erebus the man she already loves and who helps her heal by embracing the darkness within herself? I’m surely not going to give anything away, but this story will have you questioning everything.
I can’t go without mentioning Nyx, our villainess. She’s not your typical one dimensional villain. We become invested in her story and it will rip your heart out maybe even more than Nora’s.
Hartley has created a beautiful new world with characters you want to know everything about and will leave you longing for the next book in the series.
Available now for preorder.
S.R. Hartley
I might need to be checked for emotional whiplash after finishing this book.
The dedication alone let me know that this was going to be a hurricane of psychological turmoil, in the best way possible.
Claimed by Darkness follows Nora who falls into a deep depression after the death of her parents. She is distraught and feels in her heart that there is more to their deaths than meets the eye. She’s not sure what is real or if she truly is losing her mind.
Anyone who has struggled with mental health will immediately feel connected to Nora. She’s strong even in her darkest moments and her story is one of hope and healing.
Now let’s talk our MMCs. Hartley keeps us guessing when it comes to who Nora is truly meant to love. Is it Kairos, the sweet, protective celestial who believes that Nora is his fated mate and vows to protect her from the darkness? Or, is it Erebus, the man she already loves and who helps her heal by embracing the darkness within herself? I’m surely not going to give anything away, but this story will have you questioning everything.
I can’t go without mentioning Nyx, our villainess. She’s not your typical one dimensional villain. We become invested in her story and it will rip your heart out maybe even more than Nora’s.
Hartley has created a beautiful new world with characters you want to know everything about and will leave you longing for the next book in the series.
Available now for preorder.
February 7, 2026
ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Claimed by Darkness is a haunting, emotionally charged paranormal romance that leans hard into the idea that light and shadow are rarely separate and that sometimes survival means answering the call of the dark.
Nora’s story begins steeped in grief and despair, and the weight of her past is palpable from the first page. The darkness that whispers to her doesn’t feel like a gimmick it feels intimate, relentless, and terrifyingly seductive. Her pain is handled with care, making her struggle on the edge of the Mackinac Bridge feel raw and heartbreakingly real.
Kairos enters like a myth come to life wings, glowing eyes, and fate stitched into every word he speaks. The fated-mate bond adds an instant pull, but what makes it compelling is the tension beneath it. There’s safety in him, yes, but also unanswered questions and the unsettling sense that destiny may be just another kind of cage.
The worldbuilding is rich with celestial lore, ancient grudges, and a looming war between Heaven and Hell that feels vast without overshadowing Nora’s personal journey. Nyx, the demon queen, is a chilling antagonist whose history with Nora hints at a past far deeper and darker than expected.
What truly stands out is the moral tension. Nora isn’t a passive pawn of prophecy; she’s forced to confront who she really is and what she’s willing to become. The choice between the love that steadies her and the darkness that understands her is agonizing and beautifully executed.
Claimed by Darkness is perfect for readers who love fated mates, celestial vs. infernal conflict, and heroines who discover that their greatest strength may lie in the shadows they were taught to fear. Dark, romantic, and emotionally intense, this story leaves you aching for what comes next. 🖤✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Claimed by Darkness is a haunting, emotionally charged paranormal romance that leans hard into the idea that light and shadow are rarely separate and that sometimes survival means answering the call of the dark.
Nora’s story begins steeped in grief and despair, and the weight of her past is palpable from the first page. The darkness that whispers to her doesn’t feel like a gimmick it feels intimate, relentless, and terrifyingly seductive. Her pain is handled with care, making her struggle on the edge of the Mackinac Bridge feel raw and heartbreakingly real.
Kairos enters like a myth come to life wings, glowing eyes, and fate stitched into every word he speaks. The fated-mate bond adds an instant pull, but what makes it compelling is the tension beneath it. There’s safety in him, yes, but also unanswered questions and the unsettling sense that destiny may be just another kind of cage.
The worldbuilding is rich with celestial lore, ancient grudges, and a looming war between Heaven and Hell that feels vast without overshadowing Nora’s personal journey. Nyx, the demon queen, is a chilling antagonist whose history with Nora hints at a past far deeper and darker than expected.
What truly stands out is the moral tension. Nora isn’t a passive pawn of prophecy; she’s forced to confront who she really is and what she’s willing to become. The choice between the love that steadies her and the darkness that understands her is agonizing and beautifully executed.
Claimed by Darkness is perfect for readers who love fated mates, celestial vs. infernal conflict, and heroines who discover that their greatest strength may lie in the shadows they were taught to fear. Dark, romantic, and emotionally intense, this story leaves you aching for what comes next. 🖤✨
April 7, 2026
3.5 ⭐️’s
Arc Review.
A multi POV romantasy packed with winged Celestials, Gods, Demons & Witches, secrets & betrayal, fated mates, reincarnation, angst, yearning, and loveable side characters.
Claimed by Darkness follows FMC Nora, as she struggles through her grief and mental health issues following the death of her parents. Seeing and believing things that can’t possibly be there. Or can they?
She’s slipping into the darkness, slowly letting it consume her when Kairos swoops in to save her from herself and her reality unravels before her. Nothing is as it seems.
Not only was she right about her parent’s death not being an accident, but her world is turned upside down when she learns that the world she thought she knew was a lie.
Nora must accept her fate and unlock the memories of her past life or all will be lost, and the Darkness will win.
This was such a fun little read.
I really enjoyed the concept of embracing ones darkness, and found a lot of the themes relatable, especially the way Ere encourages Nora to embrace it as a part of her and accepts that its okay for her not to be okay. That really resonated with me on a personal level to have that person who understands and accepts that part of you.
Although I found it quite predictable at times, I still really enjoyed the journey and had a few surprises along the way.
My heart broke for Kairos and I felt those moments with him, and felt myself emotionally invested.
I loved Mio as a side character, and hope to see more of him in book 2.
I can’t wait to see more of Hekate and Nyx’s story and to unpack everything that’s happened between them and where they go from here, and am looking forward to diving into the King of the Underworld’s darker villainous side as the story unfolds.
Arc Review.
A multi POV romantasy packed with winged Celestials, Gods, Demons & Witches, secrets & betrayal, fated mates, reincarnation, angst, yearning, and loveable side characters.
Claimed by Darkness follows FMC Nora, as she struggles through her grief and mental health issues following the death of her parents. Seeing and believing things that can’t possibly be there. Or can they?
She’s slipping into the darkness, slowly letting it consume her when Kairos swoops in to save her from herself and her reality unravels before her. Nothing is as it seems.
Not only was she right about her parent’s death not being an accident, but her world is turned upside down when she learns that the world she thought she knew was a lie.
Nora must accept her fate and unlock the memories of her past life or all will be lost, and the Darkness will win.
This was such a fun little read.
I really enjoyed the concept of embracing ones darkness, and found a lot of the themes relatable, especially the way Ere encourages Nora to embrace it as a part of her and accepts that its okay for her not to be okay. That really resonated with me on a personal level to have that person who understands and accepts that part of you.
Although I found it quite predictable at times, I still really enjoyed the journey and had a few surprises along the way.
My heart broke for Kairos and I felt those moments with him, and felt myself emotionally invested.
I loved Mio as a side character, and hope to see more of him in book 2.
I can’t wait to see more of Hekate and Nyx’s story and to unpack everything that’s happened between them and where they go from here, and am looking forward to diving into the King of the Underworld’s darker villainous side as the story unfolds.
March 2, 2026
I honestly loved the plot of this one. It had me constantly second guessing myself , what was real? What was manipulation? Who could actually be trusted?! That constant uncertainty had me completely hooked and turning the pages way too late at night.
Nora is such a relatable main character. Her mental health struggles felt raw and very real, and I really appreciated that representation. It’s something I’ve experienced myself and I’m sure so many of us have too. It added so much depth to both her character and the overall story I think
At its heart this is a story about grief, friendship, and love all woven together across multiple realms. The world building and layered realities really raise the stakes and make everything feel so immersive. And the betrayal?! I was like 👀👀
My only small gripe is that the pacing felt a little off at times. I think the main crux of the story could have kicked in a bit earlier there was just a touch too much context for me at the beginning. But once things really got going, I was all in.
Overall, I’d absolutely recommend giving this one a go especially if you love emotionally complex characters, layered worlds, and stories that keep you guessing right until the end.
Nora is such a relatable main character. Her mental health struggles felt raw and very real, and I really appreciated that representation. It’s something I’ve experienced myself and I’m sure so many of us have too. It added so much depth to both her character and the overall story I think
At its heart this is a story about grief, friendship, and love all woven together across multiple realms. The world building and layered realities really raise the stakes and make everything feel so immersive. And the betrayal?! I was like 👀👀
My only small gripe is that the pacing felt a little off at times. I think the main crux of the story could have kicked in a bit earlier there was just a touch too much context for me at the beginning. But once things really got going, I was all in.
Overall, I’d absolutely recommend giving this one a go especially if you love emotionally complex characters, layered worlds, and stories that keep you guessing right until the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️ 3.75 stars
This left me with a lot of mixed feelings but also a lot of curiosity.
One thing that stands out immediately is how heavily the story leans into Nora’s mental health. Her depression is a very prominent part of the book, and we spend a lot of time inside her head through internal thoughts and monologue. While I appreciate when authors explore heavier emotions and mental health struggles, there were moments where the introspection felt like it overtook the plot a bit for me.
The story also weaves in Nyx’s backstory through flashbacks, which means you’re essentially following two timelines at once. I’m still not sure how I feel about that structure. It added context to the world and characters.
The romance dynamics were another aspect I went back and forth on. I’m not always a huge fan of multiple deep-love connections like that, so I found myself unsure about how I felt about the direction of those relationships.
That being said… the twist toward the end completely caught me off guard. I genuinely was not expecting it, and it left me with a lot of questions. The ending definitely makes me want to pick up the next book because I need to understand what actually happened.
Overall, it did intrigue me enough that I’m ready for book two.
This left me with a lot of mixed feelings but also a lot of curiosity.
One thing that stands out immediately is how heavily the story leans into Nora’s mental health. Her depression is a very prominent part of the book, and we spend a lot of time inside her head through internal thoughts and monologue. While I appreciate when authors explore heavier emotions and mental health struggles, there were moments where the introspection felt like it overtook the plot a bit for me.
The story also weaves in Nyx’s backstory through flashbacks, which means you’re essentially following two timelines at once. I’m still not sure how I feel about that structure. It added context to the world and characters.
The romance dynamics were another aspect I went back and forth on. I’m not always a huge fan of multiple deep-love connections like that, so I found myself unsure about how I felt about the direction of those relationships.
That being said… the twist toward the end completely caught me off guard. I genuinely was not expecting it, and it left me with a lot of questions. The ending definitely makes me want to pick up the next book because I need to understand what actually happened.
Overall, it did intrigue me enough that I’m ready for book two.
February 2, 2026
Claimed by Darkness
By: S.R. Hartley
5⚡️
As always, first and foremost Thank You to S.R. Hartley for allowing me the opportunity to read your book!
WOW!!! Let’s just start with that 🤯 I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! Such a great story, I loved the multiple POVs and how it gives you a more rounded knowledge of the inner workings of all the characters.
Nora- she starts out as your “broken” FMC and is just trying to survive the loss of her parents and manage her depression, but the darkness has another plan. Her sister and best friend are so supportive and overall they are doing the best they can. I adore how her boyfriend tries to help her heal all the broken parts of her by accepting the darkness as apart of who she is. But then she meets a mysterious man with wings who was selected to be her guardian (for reasons that are unknown to Nora) she lost all her memories of her previous life and has no clue what is in store for her!
Kairos is a celestial being that was sent to protect Nora when her parents died from a demon attack. When he was kicked out of his realm, he lost his fated mate (who he now believes is Nora) and has been doing everything he can to keep her safe. This man has been waiting a century, (gah!! I love the yearning!!) and he will wait as long as it takes. I love his dedication and unwavering love for her! He will stop at nothing to prove himself. Such a well written character, S.R. Hartley makes you want to yearn for him!
Nyx- wow, um let’s see she has had a rough time in life (I had all the feels for her struggles, you might too). Becoming the queen of darkness was her fate. But as I read along, I had to wonder 🤔 is this a fight she really wants to have?
Two men claim to be Nora’s fated mate, one is her true fated mate and one is lying!! Who do you think is the villain? Read the book and find out who wins (or loses in the end)
By: S.R. Hartley
5⚡️
As always, first and foremost Thank You to S.R. Hartley for allowing me the opportunity to read your book!
WOW!!! Let’s just start with that 🤯 I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! Such a great story, I loved the multiple POVs and how it gives you a more rounded knowledge of the inner workings of all the characters.
Nora- she starts out as your “broken” FMC and is just trying to survive the loss of her parents and manage her depression, but the darkness has another plan. Her sister and best friend are so supportive and overall they are doing the best they can. I adore how her boyfriend tries to help her heal all the broken parts of her by accepting the darkness as apart of who she is. But then she meets a mysterious man with wings who was selected to be her guardian (for reasons that are unknown to Nora) she lost all her memories of her previous life and has no clue what is in store for her!
Kairos is a celestial being that was sent to protect Nora when her parents died from a demon attack. When he was kicked out of his realm, he lost his fated mate (who he now believes is Nora) and has been doing everything he can to keep her safe. This man has been waiting a century, (gah!! I love the yearning!!) and he will wait as long as it takes. I love his dedication and unwavering love for her! He will stop at nothing to prove himself. Such a well written character, S.R. Hartley makes you want to yearn for him!
Nyx- wow, um let’s see she has had a rough time in life (I had all the feels for her struggles, you might too). Becoming the queen of darkness was her fate. But as I read along, I had to wonder 🤔 is this a fight she really wants to have?
Two men claim to be Nora’s fated mate, one is her true fated mate and one is lying!! Who do you think is the villain? Read the book and find out who wins (or loses in the end)
March 26, 2026
Dark romance
Paranormal Fantasy
Fated mates
Winged Immortals
Multi POV
Dual narration - Lisa Zimmerman & Benjamin Walker
Both new to me narrators and I enjoyed their performance
Nora has had a life altering event happen and it has left her broken and confused. She feels darkness creeping in and like she is being watched. What she does not know is there is so much more at stake then she could ever imagine.
Finding out you have two immortal men vying for you heart, a world that needs you to save it, and that there are immortal beings that truly exist is a lot to take in. Nora has to decide which path to take. Does she go with Air or Kairos. Which one is her true fated mate?
This has a cliffhanger ending that leaves you yearning for more of the story. I look forward to finding out where the story takes us.
Paranormal Fantasy
Fated mates
Winged Immortals
Multi POV
Dual narration - Lisa Zimmerman & Benjamin Walker
Both new to me narrators and I enjoyed their performance
Nora has had a life altering event happen and it has left her broken and confused. She feels darkness creeping in and like she is being watched. What she does not know is there is so much more at stake then she could ever imagine.
Finding out you have two immortal men vying for you heart, a world that needs you to save it, and that there are immortal beings that truly exist is a lot to take in. Nora has to decide which path to take. Does she go with Air or Kairos. Which one is her true fated mate?
This has a cliffhanger ending that leaves you yearning for more of the story. I look forward to finding out where the story takes us.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a good book! I loved that it was gods and goddesses in this book, plus I do like a good why choose romance trope every once and awhile. The characters were realistic in their decisions even though I did NOT agree with some of the ones they made.
Once I started listening, i couldn't stop. The plot twists were absolutely wild! Just as I was following and thought I could predict what was happening, the gods would he playing dangerous games and I would just be shocked with the twists! This book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way for sure.
I also liked that it was multiple POVs. The narrators did an amazing job and I felt immersed into this story! I could feel the emotions they were portraying well and it made the emotional rollercoaster all the more powerful! They did a great job!
Thank you so much @tantoraudio for the ALC!
Once I started listening, i couldn't stop. The plot twists were absolutely wild! Just as I was following and thought I could predict what was happening, the gods would he playing dangerous games and I would just be shocked with the twists! This book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way for sure.
I also liked that it was multiple POVs. The narrators did an amazing job and I felt immersed into this story! I could feel the emotions they were portraying well and it made the emotional rollercoaster all the more powerful! They did a great job!
Thank you so much @tantoraudio for the ALC!
April 9, 2026
Thank you NetGallery and Tantor Audio for the ALC!
Overall 3.5/5 ⭐️
This one an emotional roller coaster of grief and darkness that on can fall into, while also feeling lost.
I was intrigued by the magic system, with this fitting into an Urban Fantasy read. I had my issues with our FMC as she got further into the book, as in being just “human” but is willing to face some things alone when her logic made no sense, but I digress. I don’t want to give away too much.
But The plot twist at the end is what got me, I was not expecting that! There is also alot of plot holes but I think it will lead up well for the next book in the series, I would just like to see the characters (especially our FMC) have more logic.
Narrators also did a great job, I think they captured the characters well to how they were written.
Overall 3.5/5 ⭐️
This one an emotional roller coaster of grief and darkness that on can fall into, while also feeling lost.
I was intrigued by the magic system, with this fitting into an Urban Fantasy read. I had my issues with our FMC as she got further into the book, as in being just “human” but is willing to face some things alone when her logic made no sense, but I digress. I don’t want to give away too much.
But The plot twist at the end is what got me, I was not expecting that! There is also alot of plot holes but I think it will lead up well for the next book in the series, I would just like to see the characters (especially our FMC) have more logic.
Narrators also did a great job, I think they captured the characters well to how they were written.
February 14, 2026
This book was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions! The twists kept coming and I was shocked by every single one! And that cliffhanger?! It had me speechless.
I’m in love with Kairos. The way this man was in touch with his feelings? He had me wanting to sob.
Nora’s story was utterly heartbreaking, the way she was trying to deal with her grief and battle depression, I loved seeing her progression throughout the book. Some of her decisions towards the end were making me rage (iykyk) and I know, it wasn’t her fault but still👀
I really enjoyed this story, the world building and the multiple POV.
If you love a dark romance, fated mates, tension and yearning - this one is definitely for you!🖤
I’m in love with Kairos. The way this man was in touch with his feelings? He had me wanting to sob.
Nora’s story was utterly heartbreaking, the way she was trying to deal with her grief and battle depression, I loved seeing her progression throughout the book. Some of her decisions towards the end were making me rage (iykyk) and I know, it wasn’t her fault but still👀
I really enjoyed this story, the world building and the multiple POV.
If you love a dark romance, fated mates, tension and yearning - this one is definitely for you!🖤
February 5, 2026
Angels? Demons? Are celestials even real?
Nora, an immortal, is caught between her own darkness and an unknown future yet to come. Struggling to decipher grief from reality, she is torn between her fractured mind and the lies that seek to claim her.
If you love fated mates, dark illusions, lies, and deception—and questioning what is real—this story is for you. Will Nora overcome the darkness that fills her? Will she uncover the truth of who she really is, or remain trapped in a life of torment?
If you love a book that keeps you guessing and on your toes, Claimed by Darkness will leave you seduced.
🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
S.R. Hartley has done it again. After falling head over heels for her indie gem 13 Wishes, I dove into her newest dark romantasy — and it consumed me in the best way.
Nora’s journey is raw and haunting. She’s grieving, unraveling, and fighting battles both inside her mind and in the shadows creeping ever closer. The darkness stalking her is real, and the secrets surrounding her are thick enough to choke on.
Hartley delivers everything I crave in romantasy: tension, danger, irresistible characters, and spice that hits exactly right. The worldbuilding is rich, the pacing flawless, and the emotional stakes sky-high. Thank the book gods this is a series because I need more immediately.
Nora’s journey is raw and haunting. She’s grieving, unraveling, and fighting battles both inside her mind and in the shadows creeping ever closer. The darkness stalking her is real, and the secrets surrounding her are thick enough to choke on.
Hartley delivers everything I crave in romantasy: tension, danger, irresistible characters, and spice that hits exactly right. The worldbuilding is rich, the pacing flawless, and the emotional stakes sky-high. Thank the book gods this is a series because I need more immediately.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An ARC from Netgalley
Tropes included:
Love Triangle
Lost Memories
I will burn the world down for you
This romantasy is dark and spicy! Throughout the book Nora is finding herself after suffering through the loss of her parents and developing mental health problems.
She then finds out that she is a reincarnated celestial, but has no memories from her previous life and 2 very steamy men claim to be her fated mate! But which one is? Who can she trust?
When Nora made her decision I wanted to shout! Nooo not that one!! But was I right! Yes Yes I was!! Cliff hanger ending!!
Tropes included:
Love Triangle
Lost Memories
I will burn the world down for you
This romantasy is dark and spicy! Throughout the book Nora is finding herself after suffering through the loss of her parents and developing mental health problems.
She then finds out that she is a reincarnated celestial, but has no memories from her previous life and 2 very steamy men claim to be her fated mate! But which one is? Who can she trust?
When Nora made her decision I wanted to shout! Nooo not that one!! But was I right! Yes Yes I was!! Cliff hanger ending!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have to say I love that we started at the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan. I've been many of times (from MI) so it was very cool to see even if it wasn't a happy scene. I was excited that this was a fated mates book. But this also has a little twist on Nora having to choose between Kairos and Ere as they both claim she's their mate. This book has the spice and some twists with the lies. I was fulling pulled in and couldn't stop reading. It's on the longer side but it goes by so quick when you're reading it. Now we just have to wait for book two!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Highly recommend you read this book when it releases! Firstly, thank you so much S. R. Hartley for letting me read this as an ARC, I really enjoyed it and finished it so quickly!
I fell in love with the FMC from the very start and her character development was fantastic! The plot twists are jaw dropping and make you want to keep reading. Theres spice, lies, forgotten memories and fated mates! It really was a brilliant book, its giving slightly darker romantasy!
I fell in love with the FMC from the very start and her character development was fantastic! The plot twists are jaw dropping and make you want to keep reading. Theres spice, lies, forgotten memories and fated mates! It really was a brilliant book, its giving slightly darker romantasy!
February 7, 2026
This book had a lot of heavy elements, so please read the trigger warnings
I’m not saying anything bad about this book. It’s just the amount of time I had to put it down and step away, the love and support that Nora gets is amazing. I love her story. I loved how well this book came together. It was amazing read
I’m not saying anything bad about this book. It’s just the amount of time I had to put it down and step away, the love and support that Nora gets is amazing. I love her story. I loved how well this book came together. It was amazing read
April 14, 2026
ARC Review
What an emotional book.
The raw emotions that Nor experiences from the very first page to the very last was breath taking.
The twists that were thrown into this book are unmatched
I am so angry at this book especially the ending.
I can’t even guess how the second book is going to go with how this one went…
I am not ok
What an emotional book.
The raw emotions that Nor experiences from the very first page to the very last was breath taking.
The twists that were thrown into this book are unmatched
I am so angry at this book especially the ending.
I can’t even guess how the second book is going to go with how this one went…
I am not ok
April 1, 2026
This book built a world that sucks you in quickly!
There were some parts towards the end that I thought we had a Tamlin situation going on…but then surprise! All the twists and turns made it even more interesting!
There were some parts towards the end that I thought we had a Tamlin situation going on…but then surprise! All the twists and turns made it even more interesting!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
audiobook read. I liked the dual narrators, but the spicy scenes were awkward and pulled me out 😬 The multiple POVs felt messy, the world building was kinda weak, and Nyx’s chapters didn’t fit the flow. It just felt like too many ideas thrown together. Not for me.
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