What do you think?
Duskwalker Beginnings #2
To Free a Soul
*THIS BOOK SHOULD NOT BE READ BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE DUSKWALKER BRIDES SERIES OR BOOK 1 OF THE PREQUEL - To Trap a Soul*
A hundred and fifty years have passed, and much has happened for Lindiwe. She’s bonded, she’s served her duties, and she’s brought Duskwalkers into the world.
Every year, her relationship with Weldir grows steadier, only to eventually shatter. What follows is a beautifully chaotic whirlwind of push and pull, a battle of devotion and affection against unchanging fates that are impossible to resolve.
She can’t fall in love with the shadowy entity who lives in the void. She fears for what’s left of her humanity if she does...
Weldir’s indifference has begun to dissipate.
In the wake of his mate’s teasing, her desire, and her lovely fire, obsession and infatuation violently collide. He wants her, just as much as he craves her soul to embrace.
As their Mavka offspring begin their own lives, he yearns for freedom from his realm. But for a bodiless demi-god, who doesn’t belong in her world and cannot leave his own, there’s no solution within his intangible reach.
A hundred and fifty years have passed, and much has happened for Lindiwe. She’s bonded, she’s served her duties, and she’s brought Duskwalkers into the world.
Every year, her relationship with Weldir grows steadier, only to eventually shatter. What follows is a beautifully chaotic whirlwind of push and pull, a battle of devotion and affection against unchanging fates that are impossible to resolve.
She can’t fall in love with the shadowy entity who lives in the void. She fears for what’s left of her humanity if she does...
Weldir’s indifference has begun to dissipate.
In the wake of his mate’s teasing, her desire, and her lovely fire, obsession and infatuation violently collide. He wants her, just as much as he craves her soul to embrace.
As their Mavka offspring begin their own lives, he yearns for freedom from his realm. But for a bodiless demi-god, who doesn’t belong in her world and cannot leave his own, there’s no solution within his intangible reach.
621 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2025
About the author
Opal Reyne
23 books6,431 followersOpal Reyne is an Australian Author who has been a fan of the Adult Paranormal Romance genre from the moment she picked up a book of it - and has never looked back.
She loves everything spicy, smutty,and everything boarder-line monster loving. She started writing because of her love of the written word, and because she wanted to build a diverse world of mythological creatures, while also showing the beauty of all ethnicities of humanity. She thrives to produce a plot driven, character developing book while sprinkling in enchanting imagery.
-Duskwalker Brides a series that features a very real monster who never turns into a handsome prince.
-Witch Bound is a series of Dragon-shifter males falling for their species enemies, Witches!
-She currently has a completed series called 'A Pirate Romance duology'.
As of the 20th of June 2022, The Aedus Chronicles has been unpublished. Thank you to all the readers who enjoyed the series, and Opal may look into revising them in the future.
She loves everything spicy, smutty,and everything boarder-line monster loving. She started writing because of her love of the written word, and because she wanted to build a diverse world of mythological creatures, while also showing the beauty of all ethnicities of humanity. She thrives to produce a plot driven, character developing book while sprinkling in enchanting imagery.
-Duskwalker Brides a series that features a very real monster who never turns into a handsome prince.
-Witch Bound is a series of Dragon-shifter males falling for their species enemies, Witches!
-She currently has a completed series called 'A Pirate Romance duology'.
As of the 20th of June 2022, The Aedus Chronicles has been unpublished. Thank you to all the readers who enjoyed the series, and Opal may look into revising them in the future.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
September 30, 2025
I cannot believe that our Duskwalker journey has come to an end 😭 To Free a Soul was an emotionally charged slow burn that couldn’t have been done anymore perfectly. Although we know what happens to our bone daddies and their brides already, I couldn’t help but cry even harder seeing their stories play out through Lindiwe’s eyes as their mother. My heart broke so many times for her and felt like I was there with her through every hardship she faced. The ending was absolutely perfect! Opal completely outdid herself with this incredible duology. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to try and figure out how to get through accepting that this fictional world has come to an end 😭
September 11, 2025
another banger I cannot wait for
arc review
Okay, this journey has come to an end... bittersweet, but fulfilling. This book picks up right where the last one left off, continuing Weldir and Lind’s adventure through the world. It was both amazing and heartbreaking to see everything from their perspectives, Lind’s determination never faltering, and Weldir always there to support her in every way he could.
I just wish we’d seen more of their relationship develop throughout the story... it only really kicks in around , which is kind of wild, lol. Even though this could technically be considered a romance, that’s not really its main focus, and I totally get that. Trust me, it’s so much more than that, and Opal pulled it off beautifully!
A huge thank you to Opal, I know this was hard on you for multiple reasons and I'm very grateful for all the hard work you put in this series. They'll be forever in my heart. I'm ready for whatever the future bring us <3
arc review
Okay, this journey has come to an end... bittersweet, but fulfilling. This book picks up right where the last one left off, continuing Weldir and Lind’s adventure through the world. It was both amazing and heartbreaking to see everything from their perspectives, Lind’s determination never faltering, and Weldir always there to support her in every way he could.
I just wish we’d seen more of their relationship develop throughout the story... it only really kicks in around , which is kind of wild, lol. Even though this could technically be considered a romance, that’s not really its main focus, and I totally get that. Trust me, it’s so much more than that, and Opal pulled it off beautifully!
A huge thank you to Opal, I know this was hard on you for multiple reasons and I'm very grateful for all the hard work you put in this series. They'll be forever in my heart. I'm ready for whatever the future bring us <3
October 7, 2025
The world of the Duskwalker Brides is one I go back to multiple times a year. This series/duet takes the cake as my absolute favorite.
I definitely cried reading Opal's author note at the end. I love this world so, so much. I'm so proud to be on her ARC team and to witness how she interacts with her "opalites", keeping it real and raw about her writing process and when life happens.
That being said, if you're one of the people who complained about the slow burn after only reading To Trap A Soul, hush up and enjoy the ride with this book. Opal ALWAYS writes HEAs, but Weldir and Lindiwe had over THREE HUNDRED YEARS of miscommunication, living in different worlds, like 30 children to contend with amongst other things. So yes, it is slow. It is angsty. Both of them are frustrating at times. However, at the end of this book they finally get to start living and enjoying life, together.
While reading this book, I loved seeing the most important plot points from the original 8 books from their perspectives, even if it was heartbreaking at times. Even though Opal warned us at the end of TTAS that we would see a lot of Katrina, I was not prepared for how much all of her bullshit would tear my heart apart for Orpheus. It was DEFINITELY satisfying to witness her death again, and I love that Lindiwe was there to see her demise.
I look forward to meeting more Duskwalkers in a few years, but until then I'll continue to reread these 10 books and read anything and everything else Opal writes in the meantime. ♡
I definitely cried reading Opal's author note at the end. I love this world so, so much. I'm so proud to be on her ARC team and to witness how she interacts with her "opalites", keeping it real and raw about her writing process and when life happens.
That being said, if you're one of the people who complained about the slow burn after only reading To Trap A Soul, hush up and enjoy the ride with this book. Opal ALWAYS writes HEAs, but Weldir and Lindiwe had over THREE HUNDRED YEARS of miscommunication, living in different worlds, like 30 children to contend with amongst other things. So yes, it is slow. It is angsty. Both of them are frustrating at times. However, at the end of this book they finally get to start living and enjoying life, together.
While reading this book, I loved seeing the most important plot points from the original 8 books from their perspectives, even if it was heartbreaking at times. Even though Opal warned us at the end of TTAS that we would see a lot of Katrina, I was not prepared for how much all of her bullshit would tear my heart apart for Orpheus. It was DEFINITELY satisfying to witness her death again, and I love that Lindiwe was there to see her demise.
I look forward to meeting more Duskwalkers in a few years, but until then I'll continue to reread these 10 books and read anything and everything else Opal writes in the meantime. ♡
October 11, 2025
To Free a Soul - Opal Reyne
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤
****WARNING THERE MAY BE SLIGHT SPOILERS BELOW ****
🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤
Review:
This was utter perfection and the perfect way to wrap up the Duskwalker Brides world … for now 😏. This picked up right where book ones left off, and we get to see Weldir and Lindiwe’s relationship continue to evolve as time goes on both it progress and stagnation. The feelings of unrequited love from Lindiwe’s side had my heart breaking, and poor Weldir has this utter obsession for her and yearning for this he can’t quite understand in his current state. Lindiwe’s journey as a mother in this book broke my fucking heart. She just loves her babies so much and wishes so deeply that one of them would love her the same way in return. We get caught up the timeline of the main series in this, and seeing some of the events that occur in that was beautiful and others were absolutely gut wrenching. The ending was so perfect and getting to see Weldir touch her and hold their babies had me sobbing. I love their love so so much. He is an utter simp by the time he gets a physical form and I was HERE FOR IT. Also the smut in this??? Shadow daddy indeed. Holy fuck 🥵🥵🥵. I cannot recommend this entire universe enough. Until we meet them again 💕💕
🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤
This was utter perfection. Full review to come.
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤
****WARNING THERE MAY BE SLIGHT SPOILERS BELOW ****
🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤
Review:
This was utter perfection and the perfect way to wrap up the Duskwalker Brides world … for now 😏. This picked up right where book ones left off, and we get to see Weldir and Lindiwe’s relationship continue to evolve as time goes on both it progress and stagnation. The feelings of unrequited love from Lindiwe’s side had my heart breaking, and poor Weldir has this utter obsession for her and yearning for this he can’t quite understand in his current state. Lindiwe’s journey as a mother in this book broke my fucking heart. She just loves her babies so much and wishes so deeply that one of them would love her the same way in return. We get caught up the timeline of the main series in this, and seeing some of the events that occur in that was beautiful and others were absolutely gut wrenching. The ending was so perfect and getting to see Weldir touch her and hold their babies had me sobbing. I love their love so so much. He is an utter simp by the time he gets a physical form and I was HERE FOR IT. Also the smut in this??? Shadow daddy indeed. Holy fuck 🥵🥵🥵. I cannot recommend this entire universe enough. Until we meet them again 💕💕
🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤
This was utter perfection. Full review to come.
February 16, 2026
I’m devastated that this is the end of the Duskwalker series. I truly don’t know how to live after this. It took me a month to finish this book because I didn’t want to say goodbye. I literally don’t care, Lindwe gave birth to so many babies, and I need a book for each one 😭😭😭
People who give bad reviews because it’s “slow”?? 300 years is a long time to cover, and that pacing is intentional. It adds so much depth to Lindwe’s character because we truly feel how long it drags on for her. That weight of time is the whole point and we’re supposed to sit in it with her.
This 2-book prequel was everything I needed. We get a completely new perspective from Lindwe’s POV, and now I want to reread all the previous books knowing what was really happening with them. How dare all of her babies reject her??? She worked so hard to keep them safe and make them happy, and nobody even knows how much she sacrificed.
Her story with Weldir was magnificent. She spent centuries alone just to finally get her HEA, and I couldn’t be happier for her. After everything she went through, she deserves that and more. Weldir finally opened up as a character, and the whole Tenebris world-building was absolutely captivating.
My babies Nathair and Aleron dying and then spending time with his dad😭💕 those moments were everything. We also get to know more of Orpheus and Katerina which makes me want to kill her all over again.
People who give bad reviews because it’s “slow”?? 300 years is a long time to cover, and that pacing is intentional. It adds so much depth to Lindwe’s character because we truly feel how long it drags on for her. That weight of time is the whole point and we’re supposed to sit in it with her.
This 2-book prequel was everything I needed. We get a completely new perspective from Lindwe’s POV, and now I want to reread all the previous books knowing what was really happening with them. How dare all of her babies reject her??? She worked so hard to keep them safe and make them happy, and nobody even knows how much she sacrificed.
Her story with Weldir was magnificent. She spent centuries alone just to finally get her HEA, and I couldn’t be happier for her. After everything she went through, she deserves that and more. Weldir finally opened up as a character, and the whole Tenebris world-building was absolutely captivating.
My babies Nathair and Aleron dying and then spending time with his dad😭💕 those moments were everything. We also get to know more of Orpheus and Katerina which makes me want to kill her all over again.
April 17, 2026
Oh my word…
I absolutely loved Lindiwe and Weldir’s story. Was it a very slow burn? Absolutely. Did I devour every page? Absolutely, I did. Was it necessary? Heck yes, it was.
We have to remember that Weldir was literally mist for so long, which makes their story incredibly unique. When they finally fell in love at the end and everything began going right for them, it felt so worth the wait.
But what truly broke my heart was witnessing Lindiwe's pain throughout this entire journey. I cannot imagine being rejected countless times by each child you gave birth to, especially when your intentions are purely good. She did everything she could to be there for them. We watched her navigate an emotional rollercoaster, loving her children fiercely despite their rejection, grieving when some of them died, and carrying immense loneliness. She was falling in love with someone who couldn't feel anything until the very end, all while trying desperately to reach children who kept pushing her away. It was devastating and beautiful all at once.
The only downfall? This series is ending. I already miss them so much. 🥺❤️
5⭐️ 3.5🌶️
I absolutely loved Lindiwe and Weldir’s story. Was it a very slow burn? Absolutely. Did I devour every page? Absolutely, I did. Was it necessary? Heck yes, it was.
We have to remember that Weldir was literally mist for so long, which makes their story incredibly unique. When they finally fell in love at the end and everything began going right for them, it felt so worth the wait.
But what truly broke my heart was witnessing Lindiwe's pain throughout this entire journey. I cannot imagine being rejected countless times by each child you gave birth to, especially when your intentions are purely good. She did everything she could to be there for them. We watched her navigate an emotional rollercoaster, loving her children fiercely despite their rejection, grieving when some of them died, and carrying immense loneliness. She was falling in love with someone who couldn't feel anything until the very end, all while trying desperately to reach children who kept pushing her away. It was devastating and beautiful all at once.
The only downfall? This series is ending. I already miss them so much. 🥺❤️
5⭐️ 3.5🌶️
October 6, 2025
Thank you Opal Reyne💕💕💕💕
What can I say….
As I let the last words on the last three pages embrace me like a friendly hug.
I realized we were at the end of the road: for this world, these characters, this era of the project.
I thought 💭 from the very first book to this final book of the prequel series. How much we grew together as a community with these beautiful Duskwalkers/ Makava characters and their soul brides and grooms.
When I say Opal you did the darn thing . You really did.
It’s been such a long time since I read a series overall that was well crafted, the world building was amazing, the stakes were worthy, the happy endings was earned, the pain was explained and explored. The various types of characters regardless of supposed villain or hero.
Opal you made us relate to every character from their origin names to their own identical namesakes.
You made us root, relate, and support the soul brides and grooms.
Like you’re even an awesome mama now. So much has changed for all of us. How has time flies!
I must confess I have read all your online books 📕
Hope you add more to the dragon 🐉 bride series in the future ( wishing on a star ⭐️ )
The second book 📖 was so good , and well earned of Linidiwe and Weldir ❤️ love story. Because they were our OG couple and you even gave us more world 🌎 building with the higher deities like The Golden Maiden ( great grandma ) and the great uncle Elve.
I have nothing else really to say. You gave us a full circle ⭕️ journey, you gave us a conclusion that landed the plane ✈️ smoothly, and even offered future embers of baby duskwalkers.
I appreciate so much how you built a team around you of wonderful people that made your books amazing.
These characters made me appreciate other people’s love stories from the disabled, the misunderstood, the different, the struggling, the naive, and the normal.
I loved it all .
I’m not crying 😭 tears of happiness. Yall are.
It truly was the friends we met along the way.
Here is to future adventures when Opal is ready to take us on.
We’ll see you on the readers path once again.
Sincerely,
A Grateful fan. October 2025
P.S, If you haven’t read this series. Pick it up , and read all her other stories too 💕
What can I say….
As I let the last words on the last three pages embrace me like a friendly hug.
I realized we were at the end of the road: for this world, these characters, this era of the project.
I thought 💭 from the very first book to this final book of the prequel series. How much we grew together as a community with these beautiful Duskwalkers/ Makava characters and their soul brides and grooms.
When I say Opal you did the darn thing . You really did.
It’s been such a long time since I read a series overall that was well crafted, the world building was amazing, the stakes were worthy, the happy endings was earned, the pain was explained and explored. The various types of characters regardless of supposed villain or hero.
Opal you made us relate to every character from their origin names to their own identical namesakes.
You made us root, relate, and support the soul brides and grooms.
Like you’re even an awesome mama now. So much has changed for all of us. How has time flies!
I must confess I have read all your online books 📕
Hope you add more to the dragon 🐉 bride series in the future ( wishing on a star ⭐️ )
The second book 📖 was so good , and well earned of Linidiwe and Weldir ❤️ love story. Because they were our OG couple and you even gave us more world 🌎 building with the higher deities like The Golden Maiden ( great grandma ) and the great uncle Elve.
I have nothing else really to say. You gave us a full circle ⭕️ journey, you gave us a conclusion that landed the plane ✈️ smoothly, and even offered future embers of baby duskwalkers.
I appreciate so much how you built a team around you of wonderful people that made your books amazing.
These characters made me appreciate other people’s love stories from the disabled, the misunderstood, the different, the struggling, the naive, and the normal.
I loved it all .
I’m not crying 😭 tears of happiness. Yall are.
It truly was the friends we met along the way.
Here is to future adventures when Opal is ready to take us on.
We’ll see you on the readers path once again.
Sincerely,
A Grateful fan. October 2025
P.S, If you haven’t read this series. Pick it up , and read all her other stories too 💕
October 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review — A Soul to Free by Opal Reyne
Opal, thank you for letting me be part of your ARC team and dive back into this hauntingly beautiful (and sometimes terrifying) world!
How do you make me fall in love with every single main character you write? In the last book, my heart broke for Lindiwe, everything she endured, and how alone she felt. And while I liked Weldir’s steady, practical nature, I wasn’t sure how to feel about him after A Soul to Steal when we first see him. Now? I absolutely love him.
To Free a Soul book continues Weldir and Lindiwe’s journey, and it made me fall head over heels for them both. Watching them grow from cautious allies into something so much more was such a beautiful and a very emotional ride. Their relationship requires them to balance with their differences, making them stronger, and together they create a connect neither thought possible.
And let me just say, Weldir has a dirty mouth that had me fanning myself more than once! Between the spice, the emotional depth, and the incredible character development, this book had me hooked from start to finish.
I know some readers get frustrated that this is a slow burn, but honestly, it couldn’t have been written any other way. The way Lindiwe and Weldir meet doesn’t exactly set the stage for instant love. This story had a lot of ground to cover: their relationship, their children, and their individual struggles, all spanning hundreds of years. If you are expecting them to be a neatly packaged happy couple right away, this might be a tough ride. But for me, that’s exactly what made it so powerful. I absolutely love the time Opal puts into building authentic, layered connections between her characters, and A Soul to Free is no exception.
Thank you, Opal, for giving us Lindiwe and Weldir’s 300-year journey. It is a story I’ll be carrying with me for a long time.
Opal, thank you for letting me be part of your ARC team and dive back into this hauntingly beautiful (and sometimes terrifying) world!
How do you make me fall in love with every single main character you write? In the last book, my heart broke for Lindiwe, everything she endured, and how alone she felt. And while I liked Weldir’s steady, practical nature, I wasn’t sure how to feel about him after A Soul to Steal when we first see him. Now? I absolutely love him.
To Free a Soul book continues Weldir and Lindiwe’s journey, and it made me fall head over heels for them both. Watching them grow from cautious allies into something so much more was such a beautiful and a very emotional ride. Their relationship requires them to balance with their differences, making them stronger, and together they create a connect neither thought possible.
And let me just say, Weldir has a dirty mouth that had me fanning myself more than once! Between the spice, the emotional depth, and the incredible character development, this book had me hooked from start to finish.
I know some readers get frustrated that this is a slow burn, but honestly, it couldn’t have been written any other way. The way Lindiwe and Weldir meet doesn’t exactly set the stage for instant love. This story had a lot of ground to cover: their relationship, their children, and their individual struggles, all spanning hundreds of years. If you are expecting them to be a neatly packaged happy couple right away, this might be a tough ride. But for me, that’s exactly what made it so powerful. I absolutely love the time Opal puts into building authentic, layered connections between her characters, and A Soul to Free is no exception.
Thank you, Opal, for giving us Lindiwe and Weldir’s 300-year journey. It is a story I’ll be carrying with me for a long time.
October 23, 2025
4.75 Stars
SPOILERS FOR THIS BOOK AND THE MAIN SERIES BELOW! READ WITH CAUTION!
My time in the world of Duskwalker's and their brides has officially come to and end, and let me tell you it's been a wild ride. This book is definitely a slow burn much like the first book, and honestly, I was so okay with that. Weilder and Lindiewe have been together for so long when this book starts. It gave me sooo much perspective over the timeline. I had a feeling that the demons set humans back really far, but I didn't realize just HOW FAR. Lindie and Weilder mated around the 1700's, and from there had been some large gaps between other Duskwalker's being born at times. I was SHOOK when I found out that Reia and Orpheus got together in the fucking 2000's?!?!?!?! I needed to scream about that fact and I had no one to scream with.
I will say, I really enjoyed getting to meet/hear about the Duskwalker's in other countries. I had wondered if they had only been in Australis, or all over. Turns out, they are all over, and we even got to have a few conversations with them. It was beautiful to watch the main series come full circle, but from the eyes of Lindie and Weilder. I'm so happy we got this prequel series, it was something I didn't even know I needed.
While I'm sad that my journey in the Duskwalker world is coming to a close, I so happy to have gone on it. Duskwalker's are what sparked my love for monsters, and now I am never looking back. I can't wait to see what else Opal writes in the future!
SPOILERS FOR THIS BOOK AND THE MAIN SERIES BELOW! READ WITH CAUTION!
My time in the world of Duskwalker's and their brides has officially come to and end, and let me tell you it's been a wild ride. This book is definitely a slow burn much like the first book, and honestly, I was so okay with that. Weilder and Lindiewe have been together for so long when this book starts. It gave me sooo much perspective over the timeline. I had a feeling that the demons set humans back really far, but I didn't realize just HOW FAR. Lindie and Weilder mated around the 1700's, and from there had been some large gaps between other Duskwalker's being born at times. I was SHOOK when I found out that Reia and Orpheus got together in the fucking 2000's?!?!?!?! I needed to scream about that fact and I had no one to scream with.
I will say, I really enjoyed getting to meet/hear about the Duskwalker's in other countries. I had wondered if they had only been in Australis, or all over. Turns out, they are all over, and we even got to have a few conversations with them. It was beautiful to watch the main series come full circle, but from the eyes of Lindie and Weilder. I'm so happy we got this prequel series, it was something I didn't even know I needed.
While I'm sad that my journey in the Duskwalker world is coming to a close, I so happy to have gone on it. Duskwalker's are what sparked my love for monsters, and now I am never looking back. I can't wait to see what else Opal writes in the future!
October 8, 2025
me voy a suicidar no conozco la felicidad quiero arrancarme el corazon
November 1, 2025
“I have a godly appetite for everything, and it appears it is rather bottomless when it comes to you.”
I have LOVED and adored the Duskwalkers and this world from the very beginning. And I thought this was such a nice wrap up to their main journey. The world building in this series (so detailed and crafted with so much care) and how everything and everyone came together at the end - chef’s kiss!
This Duology - and the main Duskwalker series- has made me cry, laugh, and swoon.
If you decide to pick this series up, start with a Soul to Keep.
Opal is one of the few writers who can not only keep my attention for 600-800+ pages but leave me wanting even more at the end simply because I just love immersing myself in this world. I will always come back for more
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
I have LOVED and adored the Duskwalkers and this world from the very beginning. And I thought this was such a nice wrap up to their main journey. The world building in this series (so detailed and crafted with so much care) and how everything and everyone came together at the end - chef’s kiss!
This Duology - and the main Duskwalker series- has made me cry, laugh, and swoon.
If you decide to pick this series up, start with a Soul to Keep.
Opal is one of the few writers who can not only keep my attention for 600-800+ pages but leave me wanting even more at the end simply because I just love immersing myself in this world. I will always come back for more
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
January 8, 2026
Can’t Stop Crying 😭
Omg this series finale will forever be engrained in my soul ❤️
Absolutely loved every single word of this book!!
The closing line of this book has me in tears. What I wouldn’t give to be able to read this entire series from beginning to end for the first time
There is, and has always been, so much unknown about Lindiwe and Weldir
I loved these last 2 books because you learned so much and many unanswered questions have been answered
I laughed
I cried
I learned so much
Absolutely recommend this entire series
Omg this series finale will forever be engrained in my soul ❤️
Absolutely loved every single word of this book!!
The closing line of this book has me in tears. What I wouldn’t give to be able to read this entire series from beginning to end for the first time
There is, and has always been, so much unknown about Lindiwe and Weldir
I loved these last 2 books because you learned so much and many unanswered questions have been answered
I laughed
I cried
I learned so much
Absolutely recommend this entire series
October 23, 2025
Such a beautiful conclusion to an amazing series.
Seeing everything from a different perspective was so fascinating. I expected nothing less and cannot wait to reread the entire series now knowing what I know 🥹
Seeing everything from a different perspective was so fascinating. I expected nothing less and cannot wait to reread the entire series now knowing what I know 🥹
December 31, 2025
Screaming, crying, ahhhh. This was such a good ending to the duskwalkers stories. Forever in love! It was so nice seeing their side of the stories, as I witnessed all the books all over again. I need to start the series over again. 10/10 Chefs kiss
October 12, 2025
I am absolutely not ready to say goodbye to this world so I'm just going to live in denial for a while.
October 13, 2025
did I cry... yes
will I read it again... also, yes, over and over again. I feel overwhelmingly sad that its over, but the journey was worth it. I can't wait to read this whole series again
will I read it again... also, yes, over and over again. I feel overwhelmingly sad that its over, but the journey was worth it. I can't wait to read this whole series again
October 4, 2025
Speechless.
That’s the only word that comes to mind. It took me a little longer than normal to start, due to knowing it was the end of this amazing series. I usually can’t read interconnected series because I can’t get over the first couple… I never had that problem with this series. I felt so many emotions reading this book, and caught myself on the verge of tears multiple times. There was nothing I didn’t enjoy during this series. This series will stand the test of time, and it will live rent free in my mind for the rest of my life.
My hatred for Katerina grew even more in this book. It was nice to read her death scene, again. It was also very nice to watch Lindiwe go into “mama bear” mode, and put her in her place.
Reading Lindiwe’s desire to just have a relationship with her children, just made me feel so heartbroken for her. However, I loved that they got to see all of their children, together, with their brides. I hope their relationships continue to strengthen over time.
***SPOILERS***
Their love progressed beautifully, and I didn’t want to see it end. I’m hoping with the introduction to the other children on all of the continents around the world, that we will get to know them a little better. I can’t wait to read their love stories, and how they differ from our boys.
Also, was I the only one that laughed uncontrollably when Lindiwe discovered the Orpheus had a penis 🤣. Her reaction was amazing, and when she went to Weldir and he was like “well, duh. They’re males”.
That’s the only word that comes to mind. It took me a little longer than normal to start, due to knowing it was the end of this amazing series. I usually can’t read interconnected series because I can’t get over the first couple… I never had that problem with this series. I felt so many emotions reading this book, and caught myself on the verge of tears multiple times. There was nothing I didn’t enjoy during this series. This series will stand the test of time, and it will live rent free in my mind for the rest of my life.
My hatred for Katerina grew even more in this book. It was nice to read her death scene, again. It was also very nice to watch Lindiwe go into “mama bear” mode, and put her in her place.
Reading Lindiwe’s desire to just have a relationship with her children, just made me feel so heartbroken for her. However, I loved that they got to see all of their children, together, with their brides. I hope their relationships continue to strengthen over time.
***SPOILERS***
Their love progressed beautifully, and I didn’t want to see it end. I’m hoping with the introduction to the other children on all of the continents around the world, that we will get to know them a little better. I can’t wait to read their love stories, and how they differ from our boys.
Also, was I the only one that laughed uncontrollably when Lindiwe discovered the Orpheus had a penis 🤣. Her reaction was amazing, and when she went to Weldir and he was like “well, duh. They’re males”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2025
What a damn journey we have gone on with Lindiwe and Weldir!!! Their story is so complex and spans hundreds of years. I cried with Lindiwe many many times in this book. She went through so so much. Her loneliness and her suffering in service of Weldir and her children was so gut wrenching!! Reading the main series you obviously know she loves and cares for her children deeply, you get to see lots of ways she helps them, but you don’t really experience the immensity of it. You don’t see ALL of her children and all the ways she struggled to protect them. These books really made me love her. Her heart is so so big and I loved seeing Weldir develop tender feelings for her. He’s pretty obsessed even though he’s like 🧐🧐🧐 I loved his POV, but felt so bad for him too in all the ways he wanted to help. At least he didn’t have a heart that was suffering in the way Lindiwe did. The very end was fabulous, I absolutely loved how we got to see the start of a true relationship for them 😭😭😭 I’m honestly so sad to see these characters go. All the Duskwalkers and their brides plus void daddy and witch owl mommy. I’ve spent so much time with them and felt every different emotion while reading them all. So grateful to Opal for giving us this world!!!! What a beautiful way to wrap this all up!! 👏👏👏👏
October 6, 2025
Duskwalker Beginnings reminds me of Wild Seed so much, with Weldir as a stand-in for Doro and Lin as Anyanwu, down to being a BIPOC woman who shapeshifts and travels between human settlements to protect and care for her descendents. There's even the slow, slow, slow deepening of the connection between the immortal and the woman who serves/aids him, and falling in love with perhaps the only creature who can understand you. In both books, the climax entails .
That being said, this feels far less toxic than the relationships in Wild Seed, with more emphasis on consent and communication than eugenics.
At ~600 pages each, with a very slow progression, yeah, the duology could probably be edited down to a single volume. However, its not just a story about Weldir and Lin, but of their entire family, including the other Elvish gods, humanity in general, and the Duskwalkers. There are a few places that feel very fanservice-y, a few that seem to be a bit of a retcon of why Lin would say something not entirely true or transparent, but for the most part its fun worldbuilding and character study.
Also, hot monster sex.
That being said, this feels far less toxic than the relationships in Wild Seed, with more emphasis on consent and communication than eugenics.
At ~600 pages each, with a very slow progression, yeah, the duology could probably be edited down to a single volume. However, its not just a story about Weldir and Lin, but of their entire family, including the other Elvish gods, humanity in general, and the Duskwalkers. There are a few places that feel very fanservice-y, a few that seem to be a bit of a retcon of why Lin would say something not entirely true or transparent, but for the most part its fun worldbuilding and character study.
Also, hot monster sex.
October 8, 2025
Gleeful Goblin Review: This is the second and therefore last book of Duskwalker Beginnings. This author was one of the first monster romance writers who made me fall in love with this weird and wonderful world of monsterfudgery. Opal's writing here is, as always, incredibly evocative, layered, and will completely take you on an emotional journey. Get ready to feel satisfied as well as rung out by the end of this slow burn, beautiful, and gut wrenching story. It was wild to feel so much tension and worry alongside Lindiwe about her children even though I know what happens with each and every one of them! I'm not a parent and never want to be one but the way Opal writes is so good at taking me out of my experience and into her stories fully.
Weldir and Lindiwe are not your typical "romantic leads" and this is certainly not a typical family unit. But it's most certainly a family I've loved seeing grow through each of the books. Now, here at the end we've come full circle and the story truly feels *complete*. I wasn't ready. I was never going to be ready. But all things end and I'm glad it was such a beautiful world to fall into. 5/5 Stars
Weldir and Lindiwe are not your typical "romantic leads" and this is certainly not a typical family unit. But it's most certainly a family I've loved seeing grow through each of the books. Now, here at the end we've come full circle and the story truly feels *complete*. I wasn't ready. I was never going to be ready. But all things end and I'm glad it was such a beautiful world to fall into. 5/5 Stars
May 20, 2026
This world has officially come to an end, and I am so sad about it!! I absolutely loved finally getting to see the parental side of all the chaos that unfolded across eight books. I hope all of Lindiwe’s kids give her at least one hug in the nonexistent future for every obstacle she endured while taking care of them over the span of 300 years.🥲
October 6, 2025
I feel like I don't even know what to say. These final two books have been such a ride to learn the lore of my favorite bone daddies. It was a rollercoaster of emotions running into some of my favorite people and moments again as well as understanding where it all began. 10/10 no notes. Opal will forever be one of my top favorite authors. Beautifully done 👌🏻
November 22, 2025
the duskwalkers have the most extreme form of object permanence and it hurts my heart and my babygirl Lindiwe so I'm gonna revolt and cry now. someone give her a hug and choke jabez in his sleep. we deserved more family moments and I hope a short novella might give us the moments that make all the pain and suffering worth it. loved the ending and will be reading everything by Reyne now to get the same spark ughhhh
October 6, 2025
I just wished we got more of Weldir in his physical form. it seemed like we only got like 3-4 chapters of it and then the book ended. I was looking for more angst my heart didn’t break enough haha
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2025
The end of an era I’m crying 😭😭😭
October 14, 2025
4.4 stars.
November 15, 2025
I loved finally being able to see Lindiwe and Weldir's story. What starts out as a forced proximity trope turns into a heart clenching slow burn. Seeing both of them go through their own struggles and finally find each other in the end was amazing. I would love to see more duskwalker books for the other characters, but I think this series was wrapped up pretty well. Top 3 of my favorite series of all time.
March 16, 2026
This is everything ♥️
We get to see soo much character development and their relationship leading into such a great progression plus the promise of spiciness. But after awhile it did again fall back into some issues that they can’t avoid due to such contrast of their being and limitations from Wilder side. It is very hot and sweet moment in the beginning of the book, then slowly back to such heart-aching read with tons of loneliness and like an impossible problem that just can’t be solved 😭😭
My heart legit went out for Lindiwe in this series, her character seems so avoidance and mysterious in others Duskwalker book but actually she is full of emotion and feelings 🥲 reading her book make me hate how her kids treated her. How awful and ungrateful they treated her especially Merikh, he is just straight up rude and a jerk… i despise him the most, which make so much sense why I can’t even enjoy his book even before reading Lindiwe book… i legit DNF his book and now I didn’t even regret it one bit. The way Lindiwe have to detached herself from Wilder and slowly from her kids because how lonely and hurtful she felt with the constant rejection, treatment from her kids and unreciprocated love towards her as a mother, a secret guardian that keep guarding them unconditionally and as lover/companion from Wilder 💔 can’t believe she still manage to go on for decade… 300 years selflessly love everyone and be there for them and keep getting such a horrible treatment from her kids.
Also not forgetting Jabez that Elf dude legit pissed me off again😭 although i love his book so much, reading this just reminded me why he is consider such a hateful character before his book exist —— due to all the crime he committed 🥲 the pain he bring to Lindiwe, it is even mind blowing how Lindiwe can accept him as part of the family… but since She can see Jabez did slowly change to the better thanks to Zylah ❤️🩹
In this book I didn’t blame Wilder because you can see he try the best he can to give Lindiwe his version of comfort and love, the best of his capabilities in his form but sadly that is not enough and we can’t blame Lindiwe to crave more too. Both of them are blameless in this situation, just two lover in such a horrible situation and i am so damn happy Wilder finally found a solution to have a psychical form 😭😭😭 —— wasn’t surprise with 🔥 frenzy going on due to his first taste of everything 👀👀👀👀
I have to applaud 👏🏼 Opal amazing writing. Every time I read her book , i was consumed with the character and the world building in the book —— you will literally sympathize with them and feel for them no matter how they were in previous or other book which just show how amazing the storytelling is 🤯 because who know i will have such a love hate feeling towards all the Duskwalker and Jabez which I totally didn’t when i was reading their book individually. But reading Lindiwe book make me have entirely different feelings toward them all ✨
I have enjoyed so much the series and thank you Opal Reyne you have given us such an amazing gift 💝
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
So when had she begun to look at him the same way, with curiosity, and see not his lacking exterior, but into his very cloud and find it ethereal?
Why was she here, now, half-awake in his realm, but unable to tear herself away from sleep because it meant facing reality?
Why was she sore in the most wonderful way, tender in all the right places – as if her whole body had been worshipped – but it couldn’t overshadow how she was bleeding out? Why does it have to hurt so much?
More than ever, her chest ached beyond recognition. There were wounds in places the eye couldn’t see, and no medicine or spell could heal. Her heart felt battered and bruised, like it’d been punched and jabbed at repeatedly.
And she had no one else to blame but herself.
€
Weldir growled as he shunted forward, his nose crinkling and finally showing an emotion. “I do care for you, Lindiwe. I have grown very fond of you over these years, and I have attempted to make that known.”
“I know that! I’m not a fucking idiot. But you experience it all the same way. Your anger, lust, affection, dedication, and care all come from the same place. It doesn’t exist within the real, living world.”
“It exists to me!” he roared.
“Because you are not real!” she screamed and pointed to the ether. “I don’t belong in your lifeless, lightless void! I can’t live here, and you can’t exist in my world, the living world.”
His tone became deflated and almost sounded... hurt. “That’s not fair, Lindiwe.” It wasn’t fair. She also knew it wasn’t his fault.
I love you. I love you so much, and it pains me every single day because you can’t be with me.
Weldir couldn’t change. He couldn’t suddenly grow a body and join her, and that was heartbreaking.
€
Because she knew one thing for certain: love wasn’t supposed to hurt. It could be saddening and frustrating.
It could have moments of jealousy and possessiveness. It should always be filled with comfort, affection, and soft caresses. There would be fights, and there would be times of weakness and selfishness. There could be aches and pangs.
But it shouldn’t feel like this.
It shouldn’t feel like her heart was on fire and sending flames into her bloodstream. Her chest shouldn’t feel so tight she thought she was strangling on every breath.
It shouldn’t be this absent and lonely.
€
She finally stopped dancing when the earth glowed bright green on its own. Orpheus came past the fence of the garden and paused mid-stride to stare at her. He was quick to snort out a huff and continue patrolling.
There was no greeting. Just nothing. This hurts. Doing this hurt. Being forgotten hurt. Being considered untrustworthy, when she’d poured all of herself into her children, hurt. Why does everything have to hurt?
All her love was ignored. Her love was never returned.
She found herself growing emptier, especially in the wake of her choice to put space between her and Weldir.
I tire of always hurting. It was slowly breaking her beyond repair. It was eating her from the inside out. It was ruining her, desensitising her, twisting her.
We get to see soo much character development and their relationship leading into such a great progression plus the promise of spiciness. But after awhile it did again fall back into some issues that they can’t avoid due to such contrast of their being and limitations from Wilder side. It is very hot and sweet moment in the beginning of the book, then slowly back to such heart-aching read with tons of loneliness and like an impossible problem that just can’t be solved 😭😭
My heart legit went out for Lindiwe in this series, her character seems so avoidance and mysterious in others Duskwalker book but actually she is full of emotion and feelings 🥲 reading her book make me hate how her kids treated her. How awful and ungrateful they treated her especially Merikh, he is just straight up rude and a jerk… i despise him the most, which make so much sense why I can’t even enjoy his book even before reading Lindiwe book… i legit DNF his book and now I didn’t even regret it one bit. The way Lindiwe have to detached herself from Wilder and slowly from her kids because how lonely and hurtful she felt with the constant rejection, treatment from her kids and unreciprocated love towards her as a mother, a secret guardian that keep guarding them unconditionally and as lover/companion from Wilder 💔 can’t believe she still manage to go on for decade… 300 years selflessly love everyone and be there for them and keep getting such a horrible treatment from her kids.
Also not forgetting Jabez that Elf dude legit pissed me off again😭 although i love his book so much, reading this just reminded me why he is consider such a hateful character before his book exist —— due to all the crime he committed 🥲 the pain he bring to Lindiwe, it is even mind blowing how Lindiwe can accept him as part of the family… but since She can see Jabez did slowly change to the better thanks to Zylah ❤️🩹
In this book I didn’t blame Wilder because you can see he try the best he can to give Lindiwe his version of comfort and love, the best of his capabilities in his form but sadly that is not enough and we can’t blame Lindiwe to crave more too. Both of them are blameless in this situation, just two lover in such a horrible situation and i am so damn happy Wilder finally found a solution to have a psychical form 😭😭😭 —— wasn’t surprise with 🔥 frenzy going on due to his first taste of everything 👀👀👀👀
I have to applaud 👏🏼 Opal amazing writing. Every time I read her book , i was consumed with the character and the world building in the book —— you will literally sympathize with them and feel for them no matter how they were in previous or other book which just show how amazing the storytelling is 🤯 because who know i will have such a love hate feeling towards all the Duskwalker and Jabez which I totally didn’t when i was reading their book individually. But reading Lindiwe book make me have entirely different feelings toward them all ✨
I have enjoyed so much the series and thank you Opal Reyne you have given us such an amazing gift 💝
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
So when had she begun to look at him the same way, with curiosity, and see not his lacking exterior, but into his very cloud and find it ethereal?
Why was she here, now, half-awake in his realm, but unable to tear herself away from sleep because it meant facing reality?
Why was she sore in the most wonderful way, tender in all the right places – as if her whole body had been worshipped – but it couldn’t overshadow how she was bleeding out? Why does it have to hurt so much?
More than ever, her chest ached beyond recognition. There were wounds in places the eye couldn’t see, and no medicine or spell could heal. Her heart felt battered and bruised, like it’d been punched and jabbed at repeatedly.
And she had no one else to blame but herself.
€
Weldir growled as he shunted forward, his nose crinkling and finally showing an emotion. “I do care for you, Lindiwe. I have grown very fond of you over these years, and I have attempted to make that known.”
“I know that! I’m not a fucking idiot. But you experience it all the same way. Your anger, lust, affection, dedication, and care all come from the same place. It doesn’t exist within the real, living world.”
“It exists to me!” he roared.
“Because you are not real!” she screamed and pointed to the ether. “I don’t belong in your lifeless, lightless void! I can’t live here, and you can’t exist in my world, the living world.”
His tone became deflated and almost sounded... hurt. “That’s not fair, Lindiwe.” It wasn’t fair. She also knew it wasn’t his fault.
I love you. I love you so much, and it pains me every single day because you can’t be with me.
Weldir couldn’t change. He couldn’t suddenly grow a body and join her, and that was heartbreaking.
€
Because she knew one thing for certain: love wasn’t supposed to hurt. It could be saddening and frustrating.
It could have moments of jealousy and possessiveness. It should always be filled with comfort, affection, and soft caresses. There would be fights, and there would be times of weakness and selfishness. There could be aches and pangs.
But it shouldn’t feel like this.
It shouldn’t feel like her heart was on fire and sending flames into her bloodstream. Her chest shouldn’t feel so tight she thought she was strangling on every breath.
It shouldn’t be this absent and lonely.
€
She finally stopped dancing when the earth glowed bright green on its own. Orpheus came past the fence of the garden and paused mid-stride to stare at her. He was quick to snort out a huff and continue patrolling.
There was no greeting. Just nothing. This hurts. Doing this hurt. Being forgotten hurt. Being considered untrustworthy, when she’d poured all of herself into her children, hurt. Why does everything have to hurt?
All her love was ignored. Her love was never returned.
She found herself growing emptier, especially in the wake of her choice to put space between her and Weldir.
I tire of always hurting. It was slowly breaking her beyond repair. It was eating her from the inside out. It was ruining her, desensitising her, twisting her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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