Dark & Darker Still: A Vane and Roc Origin Story

by Nikki St. Crowe

Vane and the Crocodile AKA the Madd Brothers, have been stripped of their titles and their assets after their father’s failed coup of the Darkland Court. Immortal, powerful and monstrous, it doesn’t take them long to make their way back up the ladder, but this time it’s not in the manors and mansions of the Darkland elite, it’s the dark underbelly known as the Umbrage.

Years later, they now rule the Umbrage and they are ruthless, destroying anyone who gets in their way. But even monsters have hearts, and when Roc and Vane find theirs broken, there’s only one get revenge.

Content warnings can be found on the author's website.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Romance, Audiobook, Retellings, Dark, Romance, Why Choose

154 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2025

About the author

Nikki St. Crowe is a USA Today and No. 1 Amazon Bestselling Author specializing in dark, spicy romantasy where the villain gets the girl and the girl gets the power.

Nikki considers the start of her professional career to be in the 4th grade when she placed 2nd in a Young Author’s Competition. Back then she crafted stories about magical mansions and lost treasure. She’s since ditched the treasure hunts, but she'll never give up on the magical mansions (or the morally grey men who inhabit them).

These days, when Nikki isn’t writing or daydreaming about villains, she can either be found in the woods or at home with her husband and daughter.


For information on new releases, sign up for Nikki’s newsletter, The Forbidden Garden: https://nikkistcrowe.myflodesk.com/th...

Reviews

[Lychee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The epilogue saved this book for me tbh

[Hannah Crewe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need moreeeee. I love this universe and every snippet into another part of it is always spot on and enjoyable. I really need to see Alice & Hatter though…pleaseeeee

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite series. I love these characters. Every time I meet a new one I love them
Even more. Spicy, fast paced, amazing.

[Ms. Dess · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (started as a 3… then the epilogue said “no bitch, feel something”)
Series Status: Origin story chaos… and suddenly I’m rethinking everything I thought I knew

We Have:
✅ Origin story
✅ Alice in Wonderland retelling (but make it unhinged)
✅ Villain origin… depending on who you ask
✅ Morally gray… no wait… morally justified… no wait… FUCK
✅ “they fucked around and found out” energy
✅ Betrayal / heartbreak spiral
✅ Not a romance (and honestly… good)
✅ Pain with purpose

This book caught me completely off guard. I went into this fully prepared to hate Alice. I had already built her up in my head based on everything we’ve seen and heard… in “Devour the Dark,” the villain, the problem. I was READY to side-eye her, judge her, dismiss her.

That lasted all of five minutes.

Because the deeper this went, the more it became painfully clear that this wasn’t just some chaotic villain origin story… this was a woman getting pushed, dismissed, overlooked, and ultimately broken in a way that made everything that came after feel… understandable. Not clean. Not excusable in a neat little box… but understandable in that uncomfortable, sit with it kind of way.

They played with her. They underestimated her. They made choices that left her out, talked around her, treated her like she wasn’t worth the full truth… and when it all came crashing down, suddenly she’s the problem. No. Absolutely fucking not.

This was very much a “you built this… now deal with it” situation, and I found myself on her side more often than not. Even when I knew I probably shouldn’t be. Even when things started going left. I felt for her. I understood her. And by the time we hit the end, I wasn’t looking at her like a villain at all… I was looking at her like a consequence.

That shift did all the heavy lifting and dragged this from a 3 to a 4 whether I was ready or not.

Because emotionally… this hit way harder than I expected.

Roc… still hot. Still a whole fucking problem. Still exactly the kind of man I will defend with zero logic and full commitment. Nothing about this book changed that for me 😌

And now I need Vane’s story. Immediately. No patience. Because if this is the level of depth we’re getting behind the chaos, I already know it’s going to wreck me in the best way.

This wasn’t a romance. It didn’t try to be. There’s no soft landing here, no comforting resolution wrapped in a bow. It’s messy, emotional, and a little brutal in how it forces you to reconsider everything you thought you understood about these characters.

And I loved every second of that.

Alice might be a villain to them… but to me? She’s a woman who finally stopped taking their shit. I’m so fucking here for itttttt!

[Kelsey H · Rating 5 out of 5]

For novellas, I'm typically a little more picky, and I don't always rate them 5 stars because of it. But with this book, I loved all the characters, I loved the spice, and I finished the book feeling sincerely anxious to read the following duology!

The only thing I am confused about is if I read Nikki's books out of order. I've already read the Vicious Lost Boys series, which Vane and Roc are a part of. So I'm not sure if this novella and continuing duology come before that series or after. Either way, I will be reading the Devourer duology, and I'll find out sooner or later lol

[Shaz ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 - At this point, I’ll take whatever crumbs of Roc and Vane I can get 🖤

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally here for the vibes. I personally really enjoy this whole universe. This book though was a bit slow BUT the last 30% was everything I needed. I was hardcore anticipating this book because I was totally itching for a Vane and ROC origin story and this delivered. I absolutely love the Alice/Wonderland/ Madd Hatter connections and just overall enjoyed it.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

That took me longer to read than I expect anything by Nikki to take me, but for some reason, this prequel was hard to get into. Maybe it’s because I know Vane and Roc’s “villain” origin trigger so I was just not excited for the other shoe to drop (tears) or maybe the politics of Darkland and Wonderland were too much for such a small book. The only character we got to see a lot of was Alice, and she was admittedly a MESS (absolutely nothing was going right for her), making it even harder to read. Vane and Roc were a more subdued version of the characters we know and love with no real fire behind them yet. I think this book serves as a big warm up for what’s to come because that epilogue was definitely a banger and I do look forward to Alice’s redemption and eventual love story. Definitely a good read just not as binge-able as the prior books in this universe.

The briefest of plot summaries:
As Vane and Roc try to secure a seat of power in Darkland in order to provide a better life for their sister, things can’t help but fall apart due to their dark natures and the relationships they forge with those closest to them.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bloomin 'eck, that epilogue!!!!

KU Read
149 Pages
Fantasy
Novella
Prequel/Origin Story
Spice
Why Choose?

Arrrrgggghhh how do I even categorize this book... And that ending! I have always wanted to know the back story of Vane and Roc and now I have it. I didn't see any spoilers so I didn't realise that Alice of the Wonderland featured so heavily in this story but it plays out so well. I loved all the dark vibes, the magic and drama that only comes with a Darkland novella... All books in this series are amazing!

[Penelope DeWeerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything Nikki writes, I consume, but add an
𝓪𝓵𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝔀𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓭 theme, & I’m there!!
My only complaint is that they are ꪀꫀꪜꫀ᥅ long enough! 😫 This one may be my favorite so far. I will be anxiously awaiting the next one..
♠️♥️♣️♦️♠️♥️♣️♦️♠️♥️♣️♦️🎩♥️♣️♦️

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book I can relate to.

[He11zbelles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Vane and Roc’s origin story is bittersweet. It doesn’t necessarily end in an HEA with Alice but both Madd brothers get their own HEA.

This was a pretty cool reimagining of Alice in Wonderland. This world of the 7 isles is such a creative world full of magic and myths. I hope this story continues and we find out what happens to Alice and the Madd Hatter. There can be so many books written in this world since we haven’t seen the other Islands yet other than Neverland and Darkland.

The 7 Islands:
Neverland
Wonderland
Summerland
Winterland
LostLand
Darkland
Pleasureland

But possibly another an 8th Island, Underland (where the dead go)

[Kait Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love getting the backstory of these characters!
The stakes felt higher in this novella because I already knew the event it was leading to. Nikki was still able to throw in more world building and as always, very good spice. I'm excited to see where she goes with the rest of this tale and to get more of Alice's story.
THE EPILOGUE GAVE ME CHILLS

[Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

They are freaking Jabberwockys!!!!!

The Easter eggs to Alice in Wonderland were MADDening. I wanted more. There wasn't enough. I love how Crowe blends time loved children's tales into twisted dark romance for adults.

We finally learn what happened to Roc and Vanes' sister Lainey. Tragic......

This book was very different from her others. It is not a love story. There isn't redemption. It's more of a villains heritage tale. How they all became who they are. It takes place before any of the previous books in the series. It's more heartbreaking than heartfelt.

I love how Nikki is breaking away from p*rn over plot, and now her books are more plot with spice. I almost stopped when I read The Never King since I found it too much for me. I'm forever grateful I stuck with it and got stuck into the characters. If I thought Vane was my favorite, Roc stole my heart ❤️ yet here I am on team Vane all over again.

If you also found NEVER KING to be beyond spicy for you, I highly recommend reading on. These books are so good! It's worth the time, worth the dedication, worth the read.

[weaslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so good.
Vane was not my favourite in the Lost Boys but going back to his time before all of that and meeting Roc in another setting ; IT WAS ALL I NEEDED.

[amarachireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an okay novella, i really liked seeing the orgin of Roc and Vane and how they became the characters i know them to be. The spice was here, along with intrigue and action. I also really liked that Alice was in this book, she is very interesting. If you like fast paced origin stories then you should pick this up.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

God I love this author, the interconnected series & characters! In this novella, we get the Vane & Roc origin story plus a glimpse into a new series which is a retelling of Alice in wonderland perhaps!?!

I NEED ALICE & THE MAD HATTERS STORY LIKE NOW!🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤 I already know that ish is gonna be wild & insanely hot

Type: audio
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Deets:
•fairytale retelling
•obsessive/possessive
•mafia vibes
•enemies to lovers to enemies
•peter pan x Alice in wonderland vibes

[Hayley Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another amazing book in the Peter Pan/Alice In Wonderland retelling series by Nikki!

This one gave you the back story of the Madd brothers and why they seek revenge when you meet them in the main part of the series.

You also had a bit of spice (not as much as normal in her books), and it will having you question your morals with all of the toxic relationships going on.

I knew what was going to happen and I still was so devastated. The ending also blew my mind! I can't wait to see what happens next.

You get:
• Dark Romance
• Novella
• Murder & Gore
• Don't Trust Anyone
• Abuse
• Royalty
• Revenge

I recommend loved this one! Available on KU, ebook, and paperback.

[Nikki | graciouslybooked · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not having a great time. I was very bored. I did enjoy about 10% out of 100%. I do love the Never King series though and Devourer of Men. But this is not it. I would love another story with a focus of Alice though.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I think this suffers from having too many characters and too few pages, similar to the previous book, it actually reads well holistically. Why so many side characters that presumably we will never see again? Rushed towards the end, more a novella than a book.

[✨Gretch✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

This was Vane and Roc's origin story, but I felt like we got introduced to so many new characters, and it took place over a few days (maybe even weeks), and it left me wishing that we had more - even if I know we will be getting more soon.

I've loved Vane and Roc for ever, and getting to see them before they went to Neverland was a nice change. We also got to meet Alice, who I adored. It's not often we see a FMC that is both morally grey, and major flaws. It was a nice change, and I can't wait to see how her character grows in the future.

While this was a short and easy read, I wish we got more information out of it. There was a lot of telling us about things, but not showing it. Either way, I will be keeping up with this series as it continues!

[Shannon Whitley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will always read these because they are my guilty pleasure but god. It’s so bad lol. And Alice fookin SUCKS. But Roc gives me life as always.

[Makayla Beier · Rating 5 out of 5]

But where his uncle is a cliff edge crumbling beneath me, Vane is solid ground, even if it is unforgiving.

She is the opposite of me and Vane. If we are a boneyard, she is a meadow. If we are a violent storm, she is a morning of sunshine.

“She needs no protection from the monsters when she has one in her bed.”

“But you will get the most of me and that will have to be enough.” “It’s not,” she mutters, but I pretend I don’t hear her and she pretends she didn’t say it and we go on with our night.

I’ve always been drawn to morally grey men because in the gray, I don’t have to be so afraid of my own shadows.

I think on a subconscious level, he sees the abyss in Alice, and the only place Vane has ever allowed himself to be real is in the dark, a place where no one can see him for what he truly is.

“We were always going to break one another,”
———

This was amazing. The Vicious Lost Boys and the Devourer series are some of my favorite series ever and have some of my favorite characters ever. This book was so so good. Getting to see what Roc and Vane were like before the Darlings was so cool. I honestly have nothing to say about this book that isn’t a spoiler.

I will say one thing though, the epilogue was so well written and I absolutely sobbed like a baby. I’m so glad Nikki decided to add it rather than leave it where it was, like she had initially planned.

My only complaint is that I wish we had more character development with Lainey. We really only got one chapter with her and I wish she had been more prominent physically, rather than just being mentioned all the time. However, it is an extremely short book and there’s only so much you can cram into 149 pages (I so wish it had been triple that length).

I was so excited to read the authors note and see that Nikki is planning on doing a series following Alice at some point!!!

[LollyDolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick fun read from this fairytale universe and this time it was The Madd brothers' Roc and Vanes origin story. I enjoyed this. I liked the links to Wonderland and meeting their uncle The Madd Hatter. We get the beginnings of Alice’s story and wow she does love a Madd man or three 😆😆

Great multicast audio again. I definitely recommend listening to this. Corvin King voiced Vane again yum and Robert Hatchet is just absolute hot filth as Roc 👌🏻👌🏻 Isabelle Turner was great as Alice. The audios for all the books have been outstanding.

Sooo yep, I need Alice and The Madd Hatters story. There is unfinished business. I need answers 🎩♠️👩🏼

[Savannah Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a set up book, but I’m excited for what will come next!

[Jessica Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved every single one of these books and this was no exception. It was such a unique story, getting to delve into Alice and who she is. I can't wait for the next book.

[Breanna Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this world and this book was so interesting. The combination of Peter Pan and Alice In Wonderland aspects made it so interesting. I can’t wait for the book of Alice and Mad Hatter!!

[Dominique (The Diary of a Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why am I crying? 🥺 I would read this over and over again just to get to the epilogue.

[Brandi Dornon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. I needed so much more

[Carly Sellars · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending healed me.