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Darkend: The Gateway Trilogy
They call him the Dark Steward. But what side will he fight for?
Mason Grey has left his days of darkness behind and now stands against the same army he used to belong to. But as he ventures down this new path of light, he struggles to find a place among the Steward Knights he once swore to destroy. And when he cannot even hold the Beacon–the source of the Stewards’ power–without pain, he wonders if he’s been forgiven by the Lambient at all.
Though Seria Gayle has settled into her new life as a servant at Daymont Castle, her heart and mind often turn to the man she left behind at the Gateway. In her attempt to leave the past behind, she resolves to make amends for her choices and accept the consequences. But when the king of Paladin falls ill, her healing skills are again called into service, setting her on a path that will change her life forever.
When Mason is captured and held hostage by Emperor Jader, who refuses to release him from his vows, he faces the most difficult challenge of his life. As war looms ever closer, the Dark Steward must stand firm against the agonizing allure of darkness or surrender to its pull.
Mason Grey has left his days of darkness behind and now stands against the same army he used to belong to. But as he ventures down this new path of light, he struggles to find a place among the Steward Knights he once swore to destroy. And when he cannot even hold the Beacon–the source of the Stewards’ power–without pain, he wonders if he’s been forgiven by the Lambient at all.
Though Seria Gayle has settled into her new life as a servant at Daymont Castle, her heart and mind often turn to the man she left behind at the Gateway. In her attempt to leave the past behind, she resolves to make amends for her choices and accept the consequences. But when the king of Paladin falls ill, her healing skills are again called into service, setting her on a path that will change her life forever.
When Mason is captured and held hostage by Emperor Jader, who refuses to release him from his vows, he faces the most difficult challenge of his life. As war looms ever closer, the Dark Steward must stand firm against the agonizing allure of darkness or surrender to its pull.
551 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
26 people want to read
About the author
Crystal D. Grant
19 books112 followersCrystal Grant is a daydreamer who adores freshly-baked cookies and anything with fur or feathers. During the day, she strives to instill a love of books and learning within her young students. As a hearing-impaired, home-school graduate, she found her voice in writing and has had multiple short stories and poems published. When she’s not reading or writing stories that sweep her away to another time and place, she watches classic movies and TV shows that do the same. Or she works on jigsaw puzzles. She currently resides in smalltown Missouri with her melodramatic German shepherd, Sadie.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 13, 2026
Whew. I have mixed feelings. This book was a roller coaster to be sure and I have to say I enjoyed the roller coasters at Silver Dollar City a little bit more.
Just gotta say, this book was a lot darker and heavier than I expected and I really didn't like how some of it was written.
This book was clean. There’s no unsavory content.
Just gotta say, this book was a lot darker and heavier than I expected and I really didn't like how some of it was written.
This book was clean. There’s no unsavory content.
October 27, 2025
Sadly, I can't give more than 3 stars. The Gateway trilogy started strong with the first two books. Shadowcast was one of my favourite books. But Darkend didn't deliver..
In the first half of the book I was torn between appreciating the slow pace and feeling a little bored and disappointed in Seria and Mason not seeing each other. In the second half I first thought, I could give 4 stars instead of 3, because the battle was a really good battle, with detailed writing, plausible scenes, overwhelming antagonists and good defeating evil. Then the end came... I'm extremely disappointed. Serias whole storyline didn't contribute to anything at all. Her reckless behaviour in the end was selfish and C. Grant created an extremely unnecessary and cruel storyline and therefore a very unsatisfying ending for Mason. In my opinion Grant didn't tap the full potential with her gifted reader idea and throughout the story she teased what great things a reader could do and how extraordinary his gift is, but in the end she backed off and completely ruined that too.
Serias and Masons "relationship" was also extremely disappointing, because they only had like 4 or 5 scenes together. I won't go into Lena's and Erics whatever-it-is-they-have...
Regarding that ending 3 stars is still a good rating...
In the first half of the book I was torn between appreciating the slow pace and feeling a little bored and disappointed in Seria and Mason not seeing each other. In the second half I first thought, I could give 4 stars instead of 3, because the battle was a really good battle, with detailed writing, plausible scenes, overwhelming antagonists and good defeating evil. Then the end came... I'm extremely disappointed. Serias whole storyline didn't contribute to anything at all. Her reckless behaviour in the end was selfish and C. Grant created an extremely unnecessary and cruel storyline and therefore a very unsatisfying ending for Mason. In my opinion Grant didn't tap the full potential with her gifted reader idea and throughout the story she teased what great things a reader could do and how extraordinary his gift is, but in the end she backed off and completely ruined that too.
Serias and Masons "relationship" was also extremely disappointing, because they only had like 4 or 5 scenes together. I won't go into Lena's and Erics whatever-it-is-they-have...
Regarding that ending 3 stars is still a good rating...
September 22, 2025
The end of a series. Wow. I reread the first two books of this saga and then dove into this one. I’ve been waiting for this experience all year. This Christian fantasy series, with a slow burn enemies to sweethearts romance trope, was incredible. The Christian themes were woven into the fabric of its makeup and inseparable from the story. Light versus dark. Good versus evil. An allegorical story we can all relate to. And this is the finale. The final battle. I was definitely getting LOTR The Return of the King and Narnia The Last Battle vibes during this read. Our characters. They go through so much. This book really goes with the idea that nothing is impossible with God, no matter how dark and dire the night. This was a phenomenal series that I’m lending out to family and friends. The romance is just kisses, intimacy level 1.
I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 30, 2025
Friends, I tore through this book so fast, swept away by its power and scope. No matter which angle you look at it from—plot, pacing, character, theme—it's incredibly crafted and thoroughly engaging. Each aspect is deeply felt and profound with meaning that gives solid bones to an otherwise thrilling adventure of divided loyalties, chases, escapes, rogues, knights, and true love. Second chances, redemption, and hope shine through with admirable stubbornness and tenacity. A little bit heartbreaking, but totally worth it for the light that shines through.
November 9, 2025
Grant has written a true epic that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Great characters, excellent world building, and filled with faith. Fans of LOTR and The Chronicles of Narnia will love the Gateway Trilogy, as did I!
October 31, 2025
Crystal D. Grant has turned this girl into a fantasy lover with the whole Gateway Trilogy, especially Darkened. Darkened had me from the very start and sucked me into the story, with its biblical allegory, good-versus-evil, and epic battles. I loved every moment of this book.
This enemies-to-lovers romance is sweet with kisses only.
Crystal D. Grant did a great job of intertwining faith throughout this story.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This enemies-to-lovers romance is sweet with kisses only.
Crystal D. Grant did a great job of intertwining faith throughout this story.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
November 17, 2025
The final book in the Gateway trilogy is here!!!! Are you ready for action, war, Love and redemption? I thought I was...... But sadly this book still wrecked me. You know a book is amazing when you have to write the author in the middle of reading just to tell them that they need time out. Now before this book was released I had a list of demands for this author.
so the question remains did the Author heed my demands or does the author get time out?
BOTH
I required the death of 2 Characters.......... did they die? Yes but not with enough PAIN!!!!
I required 4 Happily ever afters........... Yeah she did that but not the way I wanted but Ok..... yeah I might give her a pass for this one.
2 characters needed to pull there heads out of their Butts....... Meh
what I should have asked for that didn't know I should have demanded- evil witches need a long painful death, Characters should not die and spoiler things that I am still mad about
so Time out charges are issued :
4 counts of unsatisfactory deaths meaning they got off easy and I wanted them to suffer......
1 count of death of a character I liked
6 counts of Oh my gosh are they dead?
20 counts of SPOILERS!!!! You know what you did I give you points for every time I thought wait what.... your not going to do this to me? you did it to me you get the counts
You get reprieve and time served for heeding my demands on shadow kid and the happily ever after but let's be honest you have so many charges your reprieve is not enough to help you......
time out for the whole series until I get a new book from this author and maybe a co author?????
so the question remains did the Author heed my demands or does the author get time out?
BOTH
I required the death of 2 Characters.......... did they die? Yes but not with enough PAIN!!!!
I required 4 Happily ever afters........... Yeah she did that but not the way I wanted but Ok..... yeah I might give her a pass for this one.
2 characters needed to pull there heads out of their Butts....... Meh
what I should have asked for that didn't know I should have demanded- evil witches need a long painful death, Characters should not die and spoiler things that I am still mad about
so Time out charges are issued :
4 counts of unsatisfactory deaths meaning they got off easy and I wanted them to suffer......
1 count of death of a character I liked
6 counts of Oh my gosh are they dead?
20 counts of SPOILERS!!!! You know what you did I give you points for every time I thought wait what.... your not going to do this to me? you did it to me you get the counts
You get reprieve and time served for heeding my demands on shadow kid and the happily ever after but let's be honest you have so many charges your reprieve is not enough to help you......
time out for the whole series until I get a new book from this author and maybe a co author?????
September 30, 2025
Not sure which version on here is the official one, so adding my review to both.
What an ending! The Gateway Series is by far one of my favorites. I love the relationship dynamics between the characters and I absolutely adore who ends up with who. Crystal knows how to write angst without it being teenage drama so well. You can feel the emotional turmoil and pain of the characters.
Crystal is also a master at world building. The setting is believable and the battles are intense. I love the magic system with its aspect of light vs darkness.
If you have read my reviews before, you know I love a good redemption story and that is what Crystal has masterfully created. A story of light and darkness, redemption and forgiveness.
There are multiple POVs and sometimes for me that distracts but in Darkend it is well done and gives the reader a well-rounded view of the action and plot without taking you out of the story.
Darkend is a satisfying ending to Shadowcast and Lightshed and this series is one I highly recommend.
What an ending! The Gateway Series is by far one of my favorites. I love the relationship dynamics between the characters and I absolutely adore who ends up with who. Crystal knows how to write angst without it being teenage drama so well. You can feel the emotional turmoil and pain of the characters.
Crystal is also a master at world building. The setting is believable and the battles are intense. I love the magic system with its aspect of light vs darkness.
If you have read my reviews before, you know I love a good redemption story and that is what Crystal has masterfully created. A story of light and darkness, redemption and forgiveness.
There are multiple POVs and sometimes for me that distracts but in Darkend it is well done and gives the reader a well-rounded view of the action and plot without taking you out of the story.
Darkend is a satisfying ending to Shadowcast and Lightshed and this series is one I highly recommend.
October 29, 2025
This was such a wonderful end to The Gateway Trilogy. It was satisfying in every way, from the battle between Dark and Light to the romance between Mason and Seria. I liked that the final, end-all battle was not easily won. It was sad to lose some side-characters but it was beautiful to see Mason, Seria, and Eric fully put their trust in the Lambient (God) instead of trying to win the fight in their own strength. That was a great reminder that all things are possible with God and that I need to get myself out of the way and let Him work. I also loved that Mason and Seria finally got their HEA. They went through a lot in these three books, so their sweet ending was all the more deserved.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 30, 2025
This was an amazing ending to a great trilogy!
This book, for me, was hands down the best in the series!
Grant does a great job extracting all emotions from me in the final installment.
Darkend, like Lighshed and Shadowcast embody what it means to battle the "darkness" daily. But even more, how important it is to have God standing beside you as well as a great group of friends to get you through. Its spiritual nature is not missed, in fact is weaved perfectly into this story and relatable!
Sad to see this Trilogy end but excited for What Grant has ahead for her readers!
This book, for me, was hands down the best in the series!
Grant does a great job extracting all emotions from me in the final installment.
Darkend, like Lighshed and Shadowcast embody what it means to battle the "darkness" daily. But even more, how important it is to have God standing beside you as well as a great group of friends to get you through. Its spiritual nature is not missed, in fact is weaved perfectly into this story and relatable!
Sad to see this Trilogy end but excited for What Grant has ahead for her readers!
November 22, 2025
It felt long and slow at times (especially in the begging half) but ended in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Loved the endings. Sad that war is painful and people don’t always make it. The war parts felt similar at times. It was fun to see all of the characters grow and change. It does have some correlations with the Bible. There was a ton of redemption and second/third chances.
Seria and Mason didn’t see each other for most of the last two books so that was hard.
Mason did suffer but it does end in a way that makes sense with his gifts. Not being tormented anymore
Seria and Mason didn’t see each other for most of the last two books so that was hard.
Mason did suffer but it does end in a way that makes sense with his gifts. Not being tormented anymore
October 14, 2025
This is an exciting ending to the Gateway Trilogy. The final battle was utterly epic and so tumultuous that I felt the tide of gains and losses as it went on. The whole book was stuffed with excitement, tension, high stakes, incredible lessons of faith and spiritual growth, learning forgiveness, battles, and emotion. Everyone should read this amazing series! I wish I could say more, but so much happens that I would spoil the excitement.
December 1, 2025
What an ending! This trilogy is so worth reading. The light versus dark struggle, though portrayed in an epic-fantasy way, hit me straight through the heart sometimes. Mason! So good. Though to this day, Eric remains my favourite character....
November 2, 2025
Perfection!! Sad moments, tense moments, happy moments, a beautiful conclusion to this amazing trilogy!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews