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Legend of Takaniim #1
Those We See in the Dark
Fate took a day off. An assassin wants a day off. A crown prince has an off day.
Anaís Dí Sona has trained her entire life for one role—protector of the Kingdom of Dúndíor—but the darkness of her past and the suffocating grip of her royal father threaten to crack her will in a way no battle could match. When she’s given the task to uncover the secrets of an ancient legend, Anaís must choose between carrying out her sworn duty—or acknowledging a secret that could alter the course of her kingdom’s history forever.
Eoghan Kavanaugh was never meant to be king, but as his ascension to the throne of Nahonaugh approaches, he’s plagued with visions of shadows creeping and a sense of something terrible drawing near. When envoys from Dúndíor arrive for diplomatic negotiations, he realizes that his duty to the throne may be the least of his worries—and he’s running out of time to learn the truth before it kills him.
When trust shatters and secrets lurk, it will take all of Anaís’s determination and Eoghan’s steadfastness to uncover the truth—or the awakening terror may consume everything they hold dear.
Anaís Dí Sona has trained her entire life for one role—protector of the Kingdom of Dúndíor—but the darkness of her past and the suffocating grip of her royal father threaten to crack her will in a way no battle could match. When she’s given the task to uncover the secrets of an ancient legend, Anaís must choose between carrying out her sworn duty—or acknowledging a secret that could alter the course of her kingdom’s history forever.
Eoghan Kavanaugh was never meant to be king, but as his ascension to the throne of Nahonaugh approaches, he’s plagued with visions of shadows creeping and a sense of something terrible drawing near. When envoys from Dúndíor arrive for diplomatic negotiations, he realizes that his duty to the throne may be the least of his worries—and he’s running out of time to learn the truth before it kills him.
When trust shatters and secrets lurk, it will take all of Anaís’s determination and Eoghan’s steadfastness to uncover the truth—or the awakening terror may consume everything they hold dear.
- GenresFantasy
492 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2025
3 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Robin Rakkeby
2 books15 followersOften mistaken for an elf due to her height, Robin Rakkeby is actually two hobbits in a trench coat. She has degrees in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and biology (the last of which was an accident). When not writing or engineering, you can find her hiking, Irish dancing, reading, or trying a new hobby. She likely lives in the US, but Scotland and New Zealand aren’t out of the question.
Keep up-to-date with her work at www.robinrakkeby.com or on Instagram at aspoonfuloflanguage.
Keep up-to-date with her work at www.robinrakkeby.com or on Instagram at aspoonfuloflanguage.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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August 25, 2025Behold! My book! I’m absolutely biased, but it’s really quite good.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my debut novel a chance! I sincerely hope you enjoy 💕
At its heart, this is a story of healing, forgiveness, and finding hope when all seems lost. However, I don’t shy away from the grittier aspects. As such, this book is intended for an adult audience. If you would like to look up content warnings before diving in, please head to https://www.robinrakkeby.com/twsitd
Happy reading!
PS book 2 is in the works. Be prepared. It’s gonna be a fun ride 👀
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my debut novel a chance! I sincerely hope you enjoy 💕
At its heart, this is a story of healing, forgiveness, and finding hope when all seems lost. However, I don’t shy away from the grittier aspects. As such, this book is intended for an adult audience. If you would like to look up content warnings before diving in, please head to https://www.robinrakkeby.com/twsitd
Happy reading!
PS book 2 is in the works. Be prepared. It’s gonna be a fun ride 👀
October 2, 2025
“Who does he see in the dark?”
This is a beautiful book. I want to visit this world and walk in the forest and sit in the inn and taste the food and wear pretty dresses and dark clothes with daggers in hand.
This is a quietly bold book. Woven themes of perseverance and hope, of fate, of sisterhood and friendships and love, of healing from corruptible acts, and of knowing our bodies need rest and our hearts need to be seen.
This is an adventurous book. Peace talks with meddling forces, secrets, things watching from the shadows, sentient fog, some evil family members, and stealth missions.
Plus, the cover is beautiful, the chapters have titles, there were a lot of funny parts that made me snort/laugh/smile and (can I say this again?) the prose is beautiful!
I really appreciated the sisters in the book. I have sisters and these moments felt very real to me. I also loved how many minor characters were just decent or actually nice people. Most books I have read (or am writing) the minor characters are just mean for no reason. Well, the minor characters felt real because of their kindness and human quirks. They're great!
FYI, this is a book for slightly older readers (not necessarily for young adults) and has some language.
I'm excited to have this book on my shelf!
This is a beautiful book. I want to visit this world and walk in the forest and sit in the inn and taste the food and wear pretty dresses and dark clothes with daggers in hand.
This is a quietly bold book. Woven themes of perseverance and hope, of fate, of sisterhood and friendships and love, of healing from corruptible acts, and of knowing our bodies need rest and our hearts need to be seen.
This is an adventurous book. Peace talks with meddling forces, secrets, things watching from the shadows, sentient fog, some evil family members, and stealth missions.
Plus, the cover is beautiful, the chapters have titles, there were a lot of funny parts that made me snort/laugh/smile and (can I say this again?) the prose is beautiful!
I really appreciated the sisters in the book. I have sisters and these moments felt very real to me. I also loved how many minor characters were just decent or actually nice people. Most books I have read (or am writing) the minor characters are just mean for no reason. Well, the minor characters felt real because of their kindness and human quirks. They're great!
FYI, this is a book for slightly older readers (not necessarily for young adults) and has some language.
I'm excited to have this book on my shelf!
August 23, 2025
How can a book be (inexplicably) equal parts spooky, suspenseful, tearjerking, and thought-provoking, while still being the most comforting thing you've read in a long time?
If you figure it out - if you manage to quantify the rubric - let me know. I'd like to understand how the author managed to make this work, because Those We See in the Dark is all those things and more. It's also a story of two Very Tired people who find rest in each other's presence, where decisions for the good of others are made despite the cost to the maker, and where even with the ever-growing sense of Things Not Being Right, you emerge trusting that things will be okay.
The politics of this fictional world are complicated and the atmosphere is growing scarier by the moment, but the characters' interactions within it are as straightforward as they can be when the shadows have begun moving of their own volition. Likewise, the themes presented can get heavy (and I might hesitate to hand this to a teenager as a result). That said, this book is perfect for those who love epic fantasy (but not the massive page counts), don't mind some spookies (but let's keep it on this side of horror), and want to see a subtle-but-so-important romantic subplot that's predicated on mutual trust and safety.
If you figure it out - if you manage to quantify the rubric - let me know. I'd like to understand how the author managed to make this work, because Those We See in the Dark is all those things and more. It's also a story of two Very Tired people who find rest in each other's presence, where decisions for the good of others are made despite the cost to the maker, and where even with the ever-growing sense of Things Not Being Right, you emerge trusting that things will be okay.
The politics of this fictional world are complicated and the atmosphere is growing scarier by the moment, but the characters' interactions within it are as straightforward as they can be when the shadows have begun moving of their own volition. Likewise, the themes presented can get heavy (and I might hesitate to hand this to a teenager as a result). That said, this book is perfect for those who love epic fantasy (but not the massive page counts), don't mind some spookies (but let's keep it on this side of horror), and want to see a subtle-but-so-important romantic subplot that's predicated on mutual trust and safety.
December 12, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book, and am leaving a review that reflects my opinion of my own free will!!
*deep breath* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
So yeah that was really good. Time to sound professional for a little while
Those We See In The Dark is truly unlike any book I've ever read. Small facets reminded me of other books, but overall it was wholly its own story, and it was majestically confident in that.
The prose was absolutely incredible. I was constantly blown away by the most poetic lines, and my Kindle copy is riddled with highlights. The beauty of Rakkeby's poetic style immerses you so thoroughly in the world, in the characters, that you can see them both so easily. This is probably one of the most beautiful books I've ever read, inside and out (that COVER. Words fail me).
As always, I must take some time to rave about the characters, because that's my favorite part of any story. Eoghan and Anais are two of my new favorites, easily. They contrast and compliment each other as main characters so well. Eoghan's kindness and willingness to forgive is inspirational, and Anais's stubbornness and protectiveness is everything I want to be. I also like Cian, I cannot lie. He's grumpy and problematic at times but I want to see what happens next in his story DESPERATELY. Probably because he reminds me a little of a character in the last book I read. BUT I DIGRESS.
Speaking of characters I love, SIMONE. What a stubborn, kind angel. She and Anais's dynamic is everything to me. The sisterhood fills my heart with such joy. There are so many good books about brotherhood and I adore them on a scale hitherto undreamt of, I just also want SISTERHOOD and this book DELIVERS. It's too amazing.
There are so many good relationships in this book. Obviously, Anais and Eoghan *resists spoilers and screams into a pillow* have a deeply compelling arc, and I love how it was written. And there are so many other dynamics with minor characters that I CHERISH. (particularly a certain set of mentors)
The plot was absolutely amazing. Complex but so intriguing and I cannot WAIT to see what comes next, especially after THAT ENDING. I DON'T NEED SLEEP I NEED ANSWERS. IT WAS SUPER GOOD I'M LOSING MY MIND IN A TOTALLY NORMAL WAY
TL:DR? Read this book. It has fog that's totally your friend and amazing food descriptions and protagonists that are dare I say drift compatible? It's everything to me and I officially need a solid copy of this to reread repeatedly
*deep breath* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
So yeah that was really good. Time to sound professional for a little while
Those We See In The Dark is truly unlike any book I've ever read. Small facets reminded me of other books, but overall it was wholly its own story, and it was majestically confident in that.
The prose was absolutely incredible. I was constantly blown away by the most poetic lines, and my Kindle copy is riddled with highlights. The beauty of Rakkeby's poetic style immerses you so thoroughly in the world, in the characters, that you can see them both so easily. This is probably one of the most beautiful books I've ever read, inside and out (that COVER. Words fail me).
As always, I must take some time to rave about the characters, because that's my favorite part of any story. Eoghan and Anais are two of my new favorites, easily. They contrast and compliment each other as main characters so well. Eoghan's kindness and willingness to forgive is inspirational, and Anais's stubbornness and protectiveness is everything I want to be. I also like Cian, I cannot lie. He's grumpy and problematic at times but I want to see what happens next in his story DESPERATELY. Probably because he reminds me a little of a character in the last book I read. BUT I DIGRESS.
Speaking of characters I love, SIMONE. What a stubborn, kind angel. She and Anais's dynamic is everything to me. The sisterhood fills my heart with such joy. There are so many good books about brotherhood and I adore them on a scale hitherto undreamt of, I just also want SISTERHOOD and this book DELIVERS. It's too amazing.
There are so many good relationships in this book. Obviously, Anais and Eoghan *resists spoilers and screams into a pillow* have a deeply compelling arc, and I love how it was written. And there are so many other dynamics with minor characters that I CHERISH. (particularly a certain set of mentors)
The plot was absolutely amazing. Complex but so intriguing and I cannot WAIT to see what comes next, especially after THAT ENDING. I DON'T NEED SLEEP I NEED ANSWERS. IT WAS SUPER GOOD I'M LOSING MY MIND IN A TOTALLY NORMAL WAY
TL:DR? Read this book. It has fog that's totally your friend and amazing food descriptions and protagonists that are dare I say drift compatible? It's everything to me and I officially need a solid copy of this to reread repeatedly
October 1, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
Spice rating: 0/5 🌶️
Age rating (in my opinion): 15+ (because it's a little violent in some places)
Where do I even begin? Political tension, strong well-rounded characters, a world that seems to jump from the page and one of the best slow burns I have honestly ever read. There's so much I want to say!
This book isn't Christian but it defiantly has christian symbolism in it and it was so wonderful to read. I really enjoyed that.
For me, I do think the first 40% was a tiny bit slow however, it didn't bother me as much as it would in other books simply because the story, the writing was SO good that it was pleasant to get through. The mention of jerky threw me off-- I don't know why. These are only very minor things though. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Many many chapters had me on the edge of my seat. Eyes quickly soaking up the words. Jaw being dropped countless times. Honestly amazed that this is the second book this author has written. It's impressive!
Eoghan and Anaís’s bond was undeniable, even as enemies which shocked me because I usually get annoyed while reading enemies-to-more tropes.
AND THAT ENDING! I hope she writes a second book because I have so many questions I NEED answers too.
A few quotes I loved:
Starring off with a laugh:
"It’s fine," she mumbled to the cliff. “I didn’t need this arm anyway.”
I’m sorry, WHAT!?!
Amazing craft:
‘Tension was simply the growing pains that preluded change.’
‘A warrior’s greatest strength is not in their ability to kill and destroy. We are called to uphold all that is good, all that is love. We are protectors. This is the very word we live by. This is the honor woven into the lifeblood of Anadali. Fight for Simone, fight for your people.’
'Despite the betrayal, the Maker never left, working even today to counteract the evil that threatens to creep upon Nythmaar, though the people cannot see it, having been blinded by desire. But a time is coming when the people must rise up again and make a choice—to fight for the truth, or to be consumed by the darkness they let in. Though we do not know when or where or how, legend says that wonders more miraculous than you or I have ever seen will mark the start of a new era, but to secure them, the people must face the shadows lurking in the deep. A great war with much darkness must be fought, but in the end a brilliant, blinding light will shine through. Truth will be restored and an era of peace ushered in—not as when the sœndjak hid, for they will be abolished once and for all.'
“Do you ever feel like you’re standing at the edge of a cliff, teetering between chaos and serenity?”
'Too many people forgot that hope had teeth and truth wielded a sword. The heart of the Anadali would not die without a fight.'
SWOON:
"From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you would be the death of me, but I didn’t think you would take it quite so literally.”
“Perhaps they were never enemies. Perhaps they were simply pawns on opposing sides of a chessboard.”
'He’d held the safety of her soul in his hands. To destroy him was to destroy herself, and she had chosen to destroy herself to spare him.'
Spice rating: 0/5 🌶️
Age rating (in my opinion): 15+ (because it's a little violent in some places)
Where do I even begin? Political tension, strong well-rounded characters, a world that seems to jump from the page and one of the best slow burns I have honestly ever read. There's so much I want to say!
This book isn't Christian but it defiantly has christian symbolism in it and it was so wonderful to read. I really enjoyed that.
For me, I do think the first 40% was a tiny bit slow however, it didn't bother me as much as it would in other books simply because the story, the writing was SO good that it was pleasant to get through. The mention of jerky threw me off-- I don't know why. These are only very minor things though. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Many many chapters had me on the edge of my seat. Eyes quickly soaking up the words. Jaw being dropped countless times. Honestly amazed that this is the second book this author has written. It's impressive!
Eoghan and Anaís’s bond was undeniable, even as enemies which shocked me because I usually get annoyed while reading enemies-to-more tropes.
AND THAT ENDING! I hope she writes a second book because I have so many questions I NEED answers too.
A few quotes I loved:
Starring off with a laugh:
"It’s fine," she mumbled to the cliff. “I didn’t need this arm anyway.”
I’m sorry, WHAT!?!
Amazing craft:
‘Tension was simply the growing pains that preluded change.’
‘A warrior’s greatest strength is not in their ability to kill and destroy. We are called to uphold all that is good, all that is love. We are protectors. This is the very word we live by. This is the honor woven into the lifeblood of Anadali. Fight for Simone, fight for your people.’
'Despite the betrayal, the Maker never left, working even today to counteract the evil that threatens to creep upon Nythmaar, though the people cannot see it, having been blinded by desire. But a time is coming when the people must rise up again and make a choice—to fight for the truth, or to be consumed by the darkness they let in. Though we do not know when or where or how, legend says that wonders more miraculous than you or I have ever seen will mark the start of a new era, but to secure them, the people must face the shadows lurking in the deep. A great war with much darkness must be fought, but in the end a brilliant, blinding light will shine through. Truth will be restored and an era of peace ushered in—not as when the sœndjak hid, for they will be abolished once and for all.'
“Do you ever feel like you’re standing at the edge of a cliff, teetering between chaos and serenity?”
'Too many people forgot that hope had teeth and truth wielded a sword. The heart of the Anadali would not die without a fight.'
SWOON:
"From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you would be the death of me, but I didn’t think you would take it quite so literally.”
“Perhaps they were never enemies. Perhaps they were simply pawns on opposing sides of a chessboard.”
'He’d held the safety of her soul in his hands. To destroy him was to destroy herself, and she had chosen to destroy herself to spare him.'
September 12, 2025
3,75 ⭐️
Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.
This was such an interesting world with beautiful, poetic and heartfelt writing. It was immersive, with vivid and vibrant descriptions and details that sucked you right in. That was such a strength throughout this book! And the story and mystery was so intriguing as well and really nicely woven together.
For a big part of the book it was a little unclear whether magic was a normal part of the world or not, which made some scenes that dealt with magic a bit confusing. It would have been nice with some more clarity on that early on. And there could have been some more details on the world as well - especially in terms of Gods/Creators and the sændjak (and what exactly they were). This might be something that will be explored more in future installments, but I would have liked a little more details in the first book so we could have had a better understanding of the world. Also, a few more scenes between Anaís and Eoghan would have been really nice. If they had more time together, there could have been a more natural development in their relationship, and I think everything would have hit just a little harder and felt more real.
I will also say that I think it ended up dragging just a little. There was a lot of build-up that ended up serving more as a base for the next book to build on instead of something that had a pay-off in this one. This wasn't a bad thing per se, but I did feel like it resulted in a bit of a slower pace in terms of plot as well as a slightly unsatisfying ending.
But it was still a very enjoyable read with lovely writing and an interesting world that you just wanted to see more of. And I mean, the cover is crazy gorgeous... One of the most beautiful books I've ever read!
Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.
This was such an interesting world with beautiful, poetic and heartfelt writing. It was immersive, with vivid and vibrant descriptions and details that sucked you right in. That was such a strength throughout this book! And the story and mystery was so intriguing as well and really nicely woven together.
For a big part of the book it was a little unclear whether magic was a normal part of the world or not, which made some scenes that dealt with magic a bit confusing. It would have been nice with some more clarity on that early on. And there could have been some more details on the world as well - especially in terms of Gods/Creators and the sændjak (and what exactly they were). This might be something that will be explored more in future installments, but I would have liked a little more details in the first book so we could have had a better understanding of the world. Also, a few more scenes between Anaís and Eoghan would have been really nice. If they had more time together, there could have been a more natural development in their relationship, and I think everything would have hit just a little harder and felt more real.
I will also say that I think it ended up dragging just a little. There was a lot of build-up that ended up serving more as a base for the next book to build on instead of something that had a pay-off in this one. This wasn't a bad thing per se, but I did feel like it resulted in a bit of a slower pace in terms of plot as well as a slightly unsatisfying ending.
But it was still a very enjoyable read with lovely writing and an interesting world that you just wanted to see more of. And I mean, the cover is crazy gorgeous... One of the most beautiful books I've ever read!
November 4, 2025
Quite possibly the best book I’ve read this year—and honestly, in a very long time. This story had me hooked immediately and kept me engaged all the way to the end. The worldbuilding is incredible, the writing is gorgeous, and the romance is my favorite kind—tasteful, meaningful, and lovely. My only complaint is having to wait for the sequel! Well done, Robin! 💜
December 9, 2025
I utterly adored this book!!! It was so beautiful, and just pulled you in perfectly!! Eoghan and Anaís were the BEST. And I utterly adored Simone, and Cian was such a good character. I LOVED him, and I want all the good things for him *side eyes the author hopefully* Anyways, I highly recommend this if you liked the concept of dyads in the Force in the Star Wars movies. Whether or not you enjoyed the execution of it in TROS, you'll LOVE this book!!!
October 16, 2025
I knew this was going to be a 5 star read on page one! Robin's writing is very lyrical/poetic. I found myself highlighting a lot of passages that made me feel the words deeply. I can't elaborate further as I don't want to spoil anything, just know that you need to read this book!
I'll leave you with a quote:
"Normally, the song of metal on metal as swords kisses and broke apart was music to her ears..."
I'll leave you with a quote:
"Normally, the song of metal on metal as swords kisses and broke apart was music to her ears..."
October 11, 2025
ARC review
Anaís is a lethal assassin who has been hardened her entire life by her royal father. Her most important mission to date requires her to travel to the kingdom of Nahonaugh where Eoghan, the next King, is hiding his own secrets from those closest to him. A deadly game of politics ensues as Anaís and Eoghan realise they have more in common than previously thought.
I LOVED this world and these characters!! I’m assuming this is the first in a series (that I will definitely be continuing), which I’m extra excited about because I’m really looking forward to reading this again when the time comes for a refresh! This book has the perfect balance of build-up and action/climax which isn’t easy to achieve. A lot of the conflict and stakes are just tension bubbling away in the background, and it’s really exciting not knowing when it’s going to blow. The politics and court dynamics are easy to grasp and everything has a purpose - meaning there’s not chapters and chapters of back and forth that don’t really lead anywhere. Similarly, you can tell every side character has a clear purpose and they’re all super fleshed-out.
I really connected with Anaís and the pressure she had placed on her from a young age, and the trauma that follows her because of her role in her own kingdom. I felt overwhelmed with the urge to give her a hug and let her have a nap on my chest yet not in an infantilising way (because she’s actually really scary). The way her inner turmoil is written is really believable and organic, I could totally see how she got caught between opposing paths. Eoghan has the traits of a lot of fantasy MMC’s - think broody, reserved, understated - but he feels a lot more human than this archetype normally does. Their early chemistry is so much fun and then it’s gets so much deeper, and I think this is a great example of how a romantic connection influences characters/the plot without steamrolling it.
I highly recommend to fellow spice-free fantasy/romantic fantasy fans!
Anaís is a lethal assassin who has been hardened her entire life by her royal father. Her most important mission to date requires her to travel to the kingdom of Nahonaugh where Eoghan, the next King, is hiding his own secrets from those closest to him. A deadly game of politics ensues as Anaís and Eoghan realise they have more in common than previously thought.
I LOVED this world and these characters!! I’m assuming this is the first in a series (that I will definitely be continuing), which I’m extra excited about because I’m really looking forward to reading this again when the time comes for a refresh! This book has the perfect balance of build-up and action/climax which isn’t easy to achieve. A lot of the conflict and stakes are just tension bubbling away in the background, and it’s really exciting not knowing when it’s going to blow. The politics and court dynamics are easy to grasp and everything has a purpose - meaning there’s not chapters and chapters of back and forth that don’t really lead anywhere. Similarly, you can tell every side character has a clear purpose and they’re all super fleshed-out.
I really connected with Anaís and the pressure she had placed on her from a young age, and the trauma that follows her because of her role in her own kingdom. I felt overwhelmed with the urge to give her a hug and let her have a nap on my chest yet not in an infantilising way (because she’s actually really scary). The way her inner turmoil is written is really believable and organic, I could totally see how she got caught between opposing paths. Eoghan has the traits of a lot of fantasy MMC’s - think broody, reserved, understated - but he feels a lot more human than this archetype normally does. Their early chemistry is so much fun and then it’s gets so much deeper, and I think this is a great example of how a romantic connection influences characters/the plot without steamrolling it.
I highly recommend to fellow spice-free fantasy/romantic fantasy fans!
Read
November 6, 2025Temporary DNF until all of my bookclub/readalong reading slows down. Very excited to pick this one back up!
October 21, 2025
"From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you would be the death of me, but I didn’t think you would take it quite so literally."
This sums it up pretty well!
I enjoyed this. I struggled a little with the fact that there was a lot going on and I couldn't always figure out what the connection was to the plot, even when the book ended, whereas I felt like I should.
But it's got great world building and pretty prose.
content warnings
violence & gore: moderate, including torture
coarse language: none, if I remember correctly
sexual content: none. very mild romancing
some of my fav quotes:
"Plan well, don't die."
"No one is too lost to be found"
"Too many people forgot that hope had teeth and truth wielded a sword"
"Just because she was death didn't mean she had to smell like it"
This sums it up pretty well!
I enjoyed this. I struggled a little with the fact that there was a lot going on and I couldn't always figure out what the connection was to the plot, even when the book ended, whereas I felt like I should.
But it's got great world building and pretty prose.
content warnings
violence & gore: moderate, including torture
coarse language: none, if I remember correctly
sexual content: none. very mild romancing
some of my fav quotes:
"Plan well, don't die."
"No one is too lost to be found"
"Too many people forgot that hope had teeth and truth wielded a sword"
"Just because she was death didn't mean she had to smell like it"
September 25, 2025
*I was provided an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.*
(5/5)
On her socials, Robin Rakkeby promised a character driven epic fantasy with unique cultures, Assassin Creed-style vibes, and sentient fog puppies. And she absolutely delivered on that promise, and much more. There is a beautifully crafted world, tenderly manicured characters, and a slow-building epic narrative that all comes together to build a stand-out debut novel from Rakkeby. “Those We See in the Dark” is must-read recommendation from me, a deftly executed opening salvo for a series that’s just getting started, and easily one of my top-reads of 2025.
Rakkeby discusses her wanderlustian (real word?) history of living all over the world in her social and how that's impacted her writing. And, wow, does it ever show in all the right ways. The world building is BEAUTIFUL and tangible. I couldn’t help but feel that not only was I viewing this lush and full world through Anais' eyes, but I was getting a glimpse into the very visceral and tangible details that Rakkeby herself has catalogued and so deftly painted on the page. Only minor caveat, there are a few occasions where it can feel a bit ‘tell’ instead of ‘show’ but it’s not often and at the end of the day the visual she’s creating is gorgeous, lived-in, and rich. The same worldbuilding attention to detail also gets represented in the naming and structure of the languages spoken, primarily in regard to names of places, peoples, and things. Reminded me a bit of a “By Blood, By Salt” by JL Odom (which I equally five-starred), adding just the right amount of cultural texture to how our characters speak.
The action is brisk, fluid, and tight. Never droning on-and-on as so many fantasy authors find themselves doing. Mechanics of movement are clearly digestible, and the tension never slips. I found the small details of structure and engineering, especially with Anais' sneaky-sneak parkour stealth missions to be a really cool addition. It manages to add stakes as our protagonist vaults and climbs her way up palaces and over bridges. There are a few scant incidences where the technical details of a structure get wordy, but it isn't immersion breaking in any way maybe just slightly pace-slowing. But I can forgive it as it fits in with the detailed imagery being conveyed.
This is a character driven story, and it shows in every way. This is something I adore. Too often in fantasy the characters are just mechanisms that exist only in service of a larger narrative. Not so here. Our core cast of characters, Anais, Eoghan, Cian, and Simone are all lovingly realized with a density of emotions and a wealth of histories of their own. This does wonders for every scene in which they interact, quarrel, jest, and flirt with one another.
Anais being the obvious stand-out here. I was enamored with her character from the jump. Her hazy, gray, and heartbreaking backstory, hinted at throughout the narrative (but then gut-punched at your around the 1/3 mark), makes her deeply compelling. Rakkeby’s choice to give Anais a sort-of chronic, pain-based condition is particularly brilliant, adding a unique layer to her physically demanding work and is such an authentic and unique example of the character work here.
Now, I can already predict that some people may not exactly like where this book ends. I get it, BUT if you remember that the characters come first here, I believe it makes perfect logical sense. It is absolutely the culmination of everything we’ve been wanting, fearing, and building to throughout the story. And I do happen to think, narratively speaking, the ending does wonders to raise stakes, create a new tension, and keep someone like me hungry for book #2.
Can we talk about the fog-puppy of it all? I don’t want to spoil much, but folks, Rakkeby delivered. I have no idea what it is, but I CANNOT wait to learn more. That goes for the rest of the pseudo-horror supernatural stuff that heavily creeps into the story, particularly beginning around the halfway mark. It’s ominous, unnerving, and creates a great sense of dread that our characters may be WAY out of their depths with what’s coming. But still, FOG-FREAKING-PUPPY!
Rakkeby has crafted a fantastic and more mature take on the classic YA high-fantasy adventure. It gives off major early Throne of Glass vibes, but with an adult sensibility (which was my biggest gripe about the first two books of that series). This is a must-read for anyone looking for a rich, character-driven fantasy with complex world-building and a hint of dark, supernatural pseudo-horror.
P.S. To the makers of Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft: if you’re reading this. Quit putzing around and make a woman your lone protagonist. No more of this 50-50, optional cop-out business. Complex women can make badass assassins. The proof is in the pudding. And the pudding is in this book.
(5/5)
On her socials, Robin Rakkeby promised a character driven epic fantasy with unique cultures, Assassin Creed-style vibes, and sentient fog puppies. And she absolutely delivered on that promise, and much more. There is a beautifully crafted world, tenderly manicured characters, and a slow-building epic narrative that all comes together to build a stand-out debut novel from Rakkeby. “Those We See in the Dark” is must-read recommendation from me, a deftly executed opening salvo for a series that’s just getting started, and easily one of my top-reads of 2025.
Rakkeby discusses her wanderlustian (real word?) history of living all over the world in her social and how that's impacted her writing. And, wow, does it ever show in all the right ways. The world building is BEAUTIFUL and tangible. I couldn’t help but feel that not only was I viewing this lush and full world through Anais' eyes, but I was getting a glimpse into the very visceral and tangible details that Rakkeby herself has catalogued and so deftly painted on the page. Only minor caveat, there are a few occasions where it can feel a bit ‘tell’ instead of ‘show’ but it’s not often and at the end of the day the visual she’s creating is gorgeous, lived-in, and rich. The same worldbuilding attention to detail also gets represented in the naming and structure of the languages spoken, primarily in regard to names of places, peoples, and things. Reminded me a bit of a “By Blood, By Salt” by JL Odom (which I equally five-starred), adding just the right amount of cultural texture to how our characters speak.
The action is brisk, fluid, and tight. Never droning on-and-on as so many fantasy authors find themselves doing. Mechanics of movement are clearly digestible, and the tension never slips. I found the small details of structure and engineering, especially with Anais' sneaky-sneak parkour stealth missions to be a really cool addition. It manages to add stakes as our protagonist vaults and climbs her way up palaces and over bridges. There are a few scant incidences where the technical details of a structure get wordy, but it isn't immersion breaking in any way maybe just slightly pace-slowing. But I can forgive it as it fits in with the detailed imagery being conveyed.
This is a character driven story, and it shows in every way. This is something I adore. Too often in fantasy the characters are just mechanisms that exist only in service of a larger narrative. Not so here. Our core cast of characters, Anais, Eoghan, Cian, and Simone are all lovingly realized with a density of emotions and a wealth of histories of their own. This does wonders for every scene in which they interact, quarrel, jest, and flirt with one another.
Anais being the obvious stand-out here. I was enamored with her character from the jump. Her hazy, gray, and heartbreaking backstory, hinted at throughout the narrative (but then gut-punched at your around the 1/3 mark), makes her deeply compelling. Rakkeby’s choice to give Anais a sort-of chronic, pain-based condition is particularly brilliant, adding a unique layer to her physically demanding work and is such an authentic and unique example of the character work here.
Now, I can already predict that some people may not exactly like where this book ends. I get it, BUT if you remember that the characters come first here, I believe it makes perfect logical sense. It is absolutely the culmination of everything we’ve been wanting, fearing, and building to throughout the story. And I do happen to think, narratively speaking, the ending does wonders to raise stakes, create a new tension, and keep someone like me hungry for book #2.
Can we talk about the fog-puppy of it all? I don’t want to spoil much, but folks, Rakkeby delivered. I have no idea what it is, but I CANNOT wait to learn more. That goes for the rest of the pseudo-horror supernatural stuff that heavily creeps into the story, particularly beginning around the halfway mark. It’s ominous, unnerving, and creates a great sense of dread that our characters may be WAY out of their depths with what’s coming. But still, FOG-FREAKING-PUPPY!
Rakkeby has crafted a fantastic and more mature take on the classic YA high-fantasy adventure. It gives off major early Throne of Glass vibes, but with an adult sensibility (which was my biggest gripe about the first two books of that series). This is a must-read for anyone looking for a rich, character-driven fantasy with complex world-building and a hint of dark, supernatural pseudo-horror.
P.S. To the makers of Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft: if you’re reading this. Quit putzing around and make a woman your lone protagonist. No more of this 50-50, optional cop-out business. Complex women can make badass assassins. The proof is in the pudding. And the pudding is in this book.
October 27, 2025
What do you get when you mix an assassin, an illegitimate crown prince, and sentient fog together? A gorgeously written first novel with vivid world building and characters you can crow over for days.
If you like....
-Strong sister dynamics
-Assassin MCs
-Reluctant princes
-A smidgen of romance
-Lush worldbuilding
-Villains you love to hate
-Killer endings
Then Those We See in the Dark might be the novel for you.
Rakkeby does a lot of things well in this book, but there are two in particular that bear touching on (non spoilery, don't worry.)
1) The Romance
We've all been there. You're reading along, enjoying the story and characters dynamics, when suddenly out of nowhere you the two MCs are in love and plotting marriage and the number of grand kids they want. Romance has its place, but insta-love (or more accurately insta-lust) is a trope that ruins far too many fantasy books. Rakkeby avoids this trap very neatly. The main characters don't even kiss in this book, a point which made me ecstatic. To see a romance be allowed to have the proper time to develop, where the characters focus on getting to know each other and aren't kissing at the drop of a hat, was so refreshing. Bonus points for the fact that Rakkeby has our two MCs genuinely support each other through hardship.
2) The Sistership
Sibling dynamics do not get enough love in fantasy. Sci-fi is better, partly because romantasy is is a fantasy sub-genre, but that is a conversation for another time. One of the strongest scenes in the novel takes place between Anais (our female MC) and her sister Simone. These two women have vastly different positions and responsibilities, but they share a stubborn determination and an ironclad loyalty to each together that is touching to read. Their relationship is arguably the standout point of the book and it is glorious to read.
There's another thing Rakkeby does that is so lacking in the mire of modern fiction, and it's amazing: She has the courtesy to give content warnings, which are pasted below from her website.
Her point about Those We See in the Dark not being a YA book is valid, and I would also add for those who are cautious about magic that there is some sentient fog and monster creatures called the Uncreated who I assume are something like zombies,
Bearing all this in mind, it is important to note the third thing Rakkeby does well: she does not dwell in the darkness. Those We See in the Dark addresses some hard topics. Characters are tortured (two scenes, fairly short but still gut wrenching). People die. An evil from ages past is stirring. But in spite of all this, there is hope. People fight back. The light shines through.
Writing about topics such as the above is not easy, but Rakkeby does it well. She confronts the darkness, but she does not glorify it. It is too common to read a book with a darker story line and come away feeling sticky, like the shadows of the book are clinging to you, but this was not the case with Those We See in the Dark.
Those We See in the Dark is not an easy read in places. But it is a beautiful one. And that makes this debut novel well worth diving into.
If you like....
-Strong sister dynamics
-Assassin MCs
-Reluctant princes
-A smidgen of romance
-Lush worldbuilding
-Villains you love to hate
-Killer endings
Then Those We See in the Dark might be the novel for you.
Rakkeby does a lot of things well in this book, but there are two in particular that bear touching on (non spoilery, don't worry.)
1) The Romance
We've all been there. You're reading along, enjoying the story and characters dynamics, when suddenly out of nowhere you the two MCs are in love and plotting marriage and the number of grand kids they want. Romance has its place, but insta-love (or more accurately insta-lust) is a trope that ruins far too many fantasy books. Rakkeby avoids this trap very neatly. The main characters don't even kiss in this book, a point which made me ecstatic. To see a romance be allowed to have the proper time to develop, where the characters focus on getting to know each other and aren't kissing at the drop of a hat, was so refreshing. Bonus points for the fact that Rakkeby has our two MCs genuinely support each other through hardship.
2) The Sistership
Sibling dynamics do not get enough love in fantasy. Sci-fi is better, partly because romantasy is is a fantasy sub-genre, but that is a conversation for another time. One of the strongest scenes in the novel takes place between Anais (our female MC) and her sister Simone. These two women have vastly different positions and responsibilities, but they share a stubborn determination and an ironclad loyalty to each together that is touching to read. Their relationship is arguably the standout point of the book and it is glorious to read.
There's another thing Rakkeby does that is so lacking in the mire of modern fiction, and it's amazing: She has the courtesy to give content warnings, which are pasted below from her website.
While this story has themes of healing, forgiveness, and finding hope when all seems lost, this is not a YA book. Content warnings include:
- Character death: parental (off page), others (on page)
- Violence: fight scenes, torture
- Child abuse: briefly mentioned/alluded to
- PTSD/trauma
- Moderate language
I have done my best to tackle each of these with care, however only you know your limits. Stay safe, and happy reading!
Her point about Those We See in the Dark not being a YA book is valid, and I would also add for those who are cautious about magic that there is some sentient fog and monster creatures called the Uncreated who I assume are something like zombies,
Bearing all this in mind, it is important to note the third thing Rakkeby does well: she does not dwell in the darkness. Those We See in the Dark addresses some hard topics. Characters are tortured (two scenes, fairly short but still gut wrenching). People die. An evil from ages past is stirring. But in spite of all this, there is hope. People fight back. The light shines through.
Writing about topics such as the above is not easy, but Rakkeby does it well. She confronts the darkness, but she does not glorify it. It is too common to read a book with a darker story line and come away feeling sticky, like the shadows of the book are clinging to you, but this was not the case with Those We See in the Dark.
Those We See in the Dark is not an easy read in places. But it is a beautiful one. And that makes this debut novel well worth diving into.
September 17, 2025
big thank you to the author for this arc.
4.5 stars (rounded up to 5).
a little preface to this review: i've followed robin on instagram for a couple years now—we met on booktwitter in the big year of 2022 (covid and all that, we remember it well)—and i remember when this book was still a baby with only a working title. i have waited, patiently, until the day i would finally have it in my hands. and now that i've finished it, it's a little unreal to me; a marker of the time that has passed since. it's crazy. anyways.
here comes the actual review;
despite following the process that led up to the release of this book, i knew virtually nothing about it. i had seen the character art, i had read the quotes, the blurb, the character descriptions, but the plot? i was jon snow. i knew nothing. and it ended up surprising me.
as someone who loves books that take their time, the pacing was perfect. not too fast, not too slow; just a nice inbetween. and that's probably the aspect i appreciate most in a book. if it doesn't flow well, i have trouble picking it up again, and it puts me in a reading slump. happy to report this did not have that effect on me, and i looked forward to reading more of it.
the only remark i have to make on this book is that i couldn't follow the folklore sometimes, but that's just because it's so elaborate. it largely led up to the next book, so i do believe i will find my explanations there. this ties directly into the worldbuilding; it felt very solid and real. from the different language-elements to the folklore and the cultures; it was tangible. and that's what a good fantasy world is; it feels like it already existed prior to the events of the book taking place.
the absolute best quality though? the characters. and luckily, because this story is very much character-driven. i loved most of them, hated some of them, exactly as it should be. the relationships between them felt mostly real, i just had some difficulty with anaìs and eoghan sometimes .
the final thing i really want to touch on is the quality of the writing. the author writes beautifully, and the descriptions made me able to picture everything perfectly in my head. especially because this is a debut novel!!
anyways; i 100% recommend this to anyone looking for a solid fantasy book with mystery, intrigue, the occasional tear-jerking passage, and an undertone of romance. me personally? i can't wait for the next book. 😎
4.5 stars (rounded up to 5).
a little preface to this review: i've followed robin on instagram for a couple years now—we met on booktwitter in the big year of 2022 (covid and all that, we remember it well)—and i remember when this book was still a baby with only a working title. i have waited, patiently, until the day i would finally have it in my hands. and now that i've finished it, it's a little unreal to me; a marker of the time that has passed since. it's crazy. anyways.
here comes the actual review;
despite following the process that led up to the release of this book, i knew virtually nothing about it. i had seen the character art, i had read the quotes, the blurb, the character descriptions, but the plot? i was jon snow. i knew nothing. and it ended up surprising me.
as someone who loves books that take their time, the pacing was perfect. not too fast, not too slow; just a nice inbetween. and that's probably the aspect i appreciate most in a book. if it doesn't flow well, i have trouble picking it up again, and it puts me in a reading slump. happy to report this did not have that effect on me, and i looked forward to reading more of it.
the only remark i have to make on this book is that i couldn't follow the folklore sometimes, but that's just because it's so elaborate. it largely led up to the next book, so i do believe i will find my explanations there. this ties directly into the worldbuilding; it felt very solid and real. from the different language-elements to the folklore and the cultures; it was tangible. and that's what a good fantasy world is; it feels like it already existed prior to the events of the book taking place.
the absolute best quality though? the characters. and luckily, because this story is very much character-driven. i loved most of them, hated some of them, exactly as it should be. the relationships between them felt mostly real, i just had some difficulty with anaìs and eoghan sometimes .
the final thing i really want to touch on is the quality of the writing. the author writes beautifully, and the descriptions made me able to picture everything perfectly in my head. especially because this is a debut novel!!
anyways; i 100% recommend this to anyone looking for a solid fantasy book with mystery, intrigue, the occasional tear-jerking passage, and an undertone of romance. me personally? i can't wait for the next book. 😎
October 20, 2025
4.5/5 (rounded up)
This book was a very good read and I thoroughly enjoyed reading a fantasy that wasn’t strikingly similar to other books that are trending or being marketed.
This debut novel from the author definitely didn’t feel like a debut novel. The best way I can think of to describe the book was like it was watching a masterful painter work. Each sentence was a brush stroke and those sentences/brushstrokes eventually started weaving together beautifully to create a stunning painting…or in this case a novel. The author carefully blended uncommon metaphors, amusing and relatable inner monologues, light witty banter, and relatable humor to really immerse me into this new world.
The characters are wonderfully human to a fault and it was refreshing to see characters in a fantasy novel be imperfect. So often I see over confident characters (be it the FMC, MMC, or villains) and it’s just refreshing to see some inadequacies or imperfections bleed through the pages. The female main character Anaís definitely goes through the wringer in the book. I don’t really want to spoil anything, but there’s definitely some suffering, trauma, healing, moments of levity/lightheartedness, grief, anxiety, and more that both Anaís and Eoghan (the MMC) go through.
In regards to the fantasy aspect, I would classify this as a light fantasy. There are some magical/supernatural elements to the world but they are not very common or prevalent in the story until later on. Most people are also human, that I’m aware of, so it was cool to see a fantasy without magical creatures or races. The places and names do tend to take inspiration from real places or cultures (such as the Māori and traditionally Irish names/pronunciations) so I stumbled a bit while trying to pronounce the names, but there’s a handy pronunciation guide at the beginning.
Because romance and spice are commonplace in fantasy these days I will say that this is a no spice book and the romance is a subplot. The romance that is prevalent I would describe as more like the intimacy of the famous Pride and Prejudice hand flex scene in the movie than anything. Little moments that weren’t romantic but that felt romantic (or like the beginnings of romance or attraction) had me kicking my feet and giggling.
The last thing I would say is that this is a very slow paced book. There’s a lot of descriptions and inner monologues between both perspectives and the plot becomes more apparent later on.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it is wildly different from the fantasy books I’ve been seeing lately. I look forward to reading the sequel when it is finished.
This book was a very good read and I thoroughly enjoyed reading a fantasy that wasn’t strikingly similar to other books that are trending or being marketed.
This debut novel from the author definitely didn’t feel like a debut novel. The best way I can think of to describe the book was like it was watching a masterful painter work. Each sentence was a brush stroke and those sentences/brushstrokes eventually started weaving together beautifully to create a stunning painting…or in this case a novel. The author carefully blended uncommon metaphors, amusing and relatable inner monologues, light witty banter, and relatable humor to really immerse me into this new world.
The characters are wonderfully human to a fault and it was refreshing to see characters in a fantasy novel be imperfect. So often I see over confident characters (be it the FMC, MMC, or villains) and it’s just refreshing to see some inadequacies or imperfections bleed through the pages. The female main character Anaís definitely goes through the wringer in the book. I don’t really want to spoil anything, but there’s definitely some suffering, trauma, healing, moments of levity/lightheartedness, grief, anxiety, and more that both Anaís and Eoghan (the MMC) go through.
In regards to the fantasy aspect, I would classify this as a light fantasy. There are some magical/supernatural elements to the world but they are not very common or prevalent in the story until later on. Most people are also human, that I’m aware of, so it was cool to see a fantasy without magical creatures or races. The places and names do tend to take inspiration from real places or cultures (such as the Māori and traditionally Irish names/pronunciations) so I stumbled a bit while trying to pronounce the names, but there’s a handy pronunciation guide at the beginning.
Because romance and spice are commonplace in fantasy these days I will say that this is a no spice book and the romance is a subplot. The romance that is prevalent I would describe as more like the intimacy of the famous Pride and Prejudice hand flex scene in the movie than anything. Little moments that weren’t romantic but that felt romantic (or like the beginnings of romance or attraction) had me kicking my feet and giggling.
The last thing I would say is that this is a very slow paced book. There’s a lot of descriptions and inner monologues between both perspectives and the plot becomes more apparent later on.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it is wildly different from the fantasy books I’ve been seeing lately. I look forward to reading the sequel when it is finished.
October 7, 2025
This was an amazing book! So much detail so much twists. The writing is beautiful. The characters so well written and intriguing. Their growth and their falls…done so well. The world building is incredible. Theres nothing about the story that I disliked. It is just incredible. i can not wait for the next book!
There is mainly two character povs with a few occasional branches into other povs.
Content: theres non-descriptive violence. A character is tortured, but it skips past the torture to the after effects and lightly mentions the level of the wounds but not too detailed (mainly uses others reactions to show how bad it is- such as a servant fainting. I think it at most mentions the blood on the ground and noting broken ribs and the fact that there are lacerations on the characters back) no profanity. Theres mentions of a character being born from infidelity, and there is abuse perpetrated by a parent. Potential spoiler: There are demonic like creatures that are evil.
Romantic content: very clean and very mild. There is a couple hugs, and a kiss on the top of the head. And a few mentions of male and female being held or laying on the others leg or chest in cases of collapse or injury. There a few mentions of characters undressing for non romantic reasons (changing, bathing, tending wounds.) not described just mentioned.
I received an ARC of this book I was not required to leave a good review.
There is mainly two character povs with a few occasional branches into other povs.
Content: theres non-descriptive violence. A character is tortured, but it skips past the torture to the after effects and lightly mentions the level of the wounds but not too detailed (mainly uses others reactions to show how bad it is- such as a servant fainting. I think it at most mentions the blood on the ground and noting broken ribs and the fact that there are lacerations on the characters back) no profanity. Theres mentions of a character being born from infidelity, and there is abuse perpetrated by a parent. Potential spoiler: There are demonic like creatures that are evil.
Romantic content: very clean and very mild. There is a couple hugs, and a kiss on the top of the head. And a few mentions of male and female being held or laying on the others leg or chest in cases of collapse or injury. There a few mentions of characters undressing for non romantic reasons (changing, bathing, tending wounds.) not described just mentioned.
I received an ARC of this book I was not required to leave a good review.
October 2, 2025
Favorite book of the year. Loved the world building, the character interactions, and a great combination of mystery, suspense and humor. And the ending- please hurry with book 2.
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