Ocean of Ink

The Obsidian Academy Duet #1

by A.R. Conwell

"Don't walk RUN to buy this book!!! YEARNING IS UN-MATCHED" -Layla_reads
---

She can sense emotions.
He’s trained to be emotionless.

Wren’s quiet life is upended when her brother’s body is delivered to her family's estate by the elite academy he was attending. Consumed by grief and bound by a past debt, she goes to the Obsidian Academy to uncover the mystery behind his death and avenge the only person she’s ever trusted.

A deadly forest surrounds the dark halls of the exclusive university, but the competitive, bloodthirsty students might be more vicious than the nightmarish creatures that haunt the woods. The most conniving of them all being Prince Castien Valengard, the only one whose emotions Wren can’t sense. And a man she believes is connected to the secret society her brother was a part of.

Wren devises a plan to uncover Castien’s role in her brother’s death, and in the meantime, works to balance her studies and her secrets. another student is killed.

Stuck on the island with no way out, Wren must find her brother’s killer before she turns into the next victim.

Ocean of Ink is book one of a slow burn romantasy duology set in a dark academy surrounded by magical, deadly waters. If you love mystery, letters, and men who yearn, this series is for you!

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Audiobook, Dark Academia, Fantasy Romance, Mystery

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley Dreamscape Media for an ALC of Ocean of Ink by A.R. Conwell

🌟4.5🌟

If a haunting atmosphere, dark academia, and a nice slow burning romance sounds like your drink of choice you're definitely in the right place! If you've been in a funk or book-hangover you're also probably going to want to swing by. I personally want to swing back to the romance aspect because it's truly worth a second mention. Romance doesn't take a backseat in this story it's riding shotgun and is blended perfectly throughout the book. A.R. Conwell does a beautiful job of intertwining raw emotion and strong storyline making for an exquisitely deep experience. The author also does a really great job reminding us that there are different forms of strength and the scars and battles don't always need to be literal. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a good badazz sword wielding, battle ready FMC as much as the next person. But again, there are different types of warriors out there and it's nice seeing them in the spotlight. The book itself is written absolutely beautifully, without being too much. The author clearly has a great sense of balance and you can really see that shine throughout the book. My Darker romance lovers are in for a real treat with this one and honestly almost anyone who picks this up is in for an enjoyable time in my humble opinion.



Until next time
Hades
🩵

[Holly (IG Hollys_Book_Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"They had shared an ocean of ink, a sea of parchment, all laced with secrets and memories. Somehow, Castien Valengard had become the one person in the Seven Havens that Wren felt safe with."

Ocean of Ink by A R Conwell

Edited to include Audio Review:
One of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to! Alys Wilde and George Reid both did a phenomenal job. I felt immersed into the world and the emotions Wren feels could be felt through Alys's amazing performance. George's accent lent to an amazing experience with Castien's voice. I absolutely recommend the audiobook for this hauntingly poetic gothic romantasy. Grab it and listen to it in time for book 2 to release in 2 weeks!

Wow!! A.R. Conwell is a master at conveying longing, pining, lots of secrets, and beautifully scripted romantasy. This one will definitely be a top read for me this year!

The letters between Castien and Wren were my favorite parts--My Pompous Prince, Dearest Wren, the banter, sharing memories, secrets, etc.And the moments in the Alcove, when he goes to stop her, the ball...so good, better than good! Words don't even do this story justice.

My heart ached for Wren, what she had experienced in her past, the grief she feels. Conwell did an amazing job conveying perfectly those feelings she was feeling. They seemed to leap off of the page and I felt all the emotions along with Wren.

I really loved how unique, but yet so familiar this world is. Part gothic Victorian set way before then, magical gifts, haunting monsters, and an academy shrouded in mist. Seriously love every part of this new world A.R. Conwell has created.

I am hungry for more of Conwell's delectable romantasy and seriously didn't want the book to end. I savored every last morsel of Ocean of Ink. I definitely recommend this Dark Romantasy for fans of all things Romantasy! Appropriate for ages 17+, maybe a little younger for mature readers.

Favorite Parts:
Longing and Pining
Lots of Secrets
Plot twists
Banter and Letters
Mystery
Slooooow burn romance
The ball
Secret passageways
Handflex
That Cliffhanger!!!!

Content Guide:
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: Closed-door: Feelings of attraction, sexual assault (happens in past, alluded to but no details)
Violence/gore: Moderate: bodies are described as being ripped open, death, murder
Substance Use: none
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: none
Other: Character has what is similar to an extreme panic attack (it's not really a panic attack, but very intense), death, grief, magical gifts

Book Info:
Series: Obsidian Academy Duet book 1
Genre: Gothic Dark Romantasy
Romance Level: Closed-door
Release Date: Available now
Publisher: Indie
POV: Dual third person
Debut in genre

Thank you to the Author for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.

[EmJustReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark, gothic story was quite the slow burn… so slow I’ll be waiting for the next story to hopefully get the bit I’ve been desiring. But the banter was good, and it set it up so I am longing for more.

The concept is very interesting; there is a SOME magic. Characters have “gifts” that are randomly given, and the FMC can feel other’s emotions. I appreciated that she is a strong individual and stood up to her father and the men in the book. I was surprised that the instructor wasn’t involved as much in the second half, and I really loved Finn’s frequent comic relief.

Obsidian Academy is a bewitching setting for the mystery that the characters are trying to solve. I think it’s a good ratio of mystery, romance, and world building. It is a very slow burn, and it did feel like the pacing was dragging a bit, but I still enjoyed it — more at the beginning and the end of the book.

When we got to the line “I prefer dearest” I was giggling and kicking my legs.

After the cliffhanger I am very excited for book two of this duet, and I’m very relieved it should be out soon.

I listened to this as an audiobook, thank you to dreamscape media!

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. If you want a simple yet creative fantasy world with gothic atmosphere in a dark academia setting of an elite boarding school, rife with cutthroat social politics, and the slow progression of a quiet and gentle, yet significant, love story, I highly recommend!

Stylistically, the narration style fit this story so well. The metaphors were elegant without the writing being too flowery. There was a flourish but it wasn't forced. The layers to the plot and cast of characters intertwined quiet nicely. A sinister unsolved murder hovering in the background added a haunting quality and juxtaposed the sweetness of Castien and Wren's letter exchanges. Everything about how this book was structured was thoughtful. I could picture things well and the chapter transitions flowed seamlessly. I also think the author handled the sensitive topics with the best care. I loved Castien and Wren. Finn added the perfect amount of humor.

When I think about why this didn't give me 5 star feelings I think it's because I wish just a little bit more had happened. The cliffhanger was great though. My heart was pounding. Very excited for book 2!

In this book
-dual-POV
-slow burn
-letters
-opposites attract
-secret pining/yearning
-murder mystery
-forced proximity
-elite academy

Content Guide:
romance - clean
language - clean
violence - brief/infrequent gore
fantasy - enhanced ability "gifts"; monsters

Content Warnings:
-grief
-post-traumatic stress/discreet flashbacks regarding past/childhood SA
-anxiety/panic attacks
-depression/suicide ideation

[kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ALC of this book in return for a voluntary and honest review!

it feels like its been so long since i read a book with this murder mystery theme set in an academy that was THIS GOOD! I genuinely had to stop myself from sitting and reading it all at once before I turned up to work this morning half dead lmao.

If there's one thing I love in books it's when the MCs send letters to each other that build in flirtation as their feelings and curiosities in each other develops and this gave me EXACTLY that. Genuinely I think I could each this up again and again and ever tire of it.

I think this book has set up perfectly for the second books release and I'm really excited to check out the second half of this duology ASAP! The end of this book has me on EDGEEEE i need to know everything right this insant. Genuinely think I could spend the rest of my time this month rereading this book over and over again until book 2 is out!

The narrators had me FEELING what they were it was insane, i loved them both so much!! Feeling the chemistry build between them was so fun and I genuinely cant wait to get more of that in book 2!

[Mildly Mad Hatter(Semi Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
This was sooooo good!!!! Definitely dark and mysterious. It reminded me of Wednesday with the school and the whole story. The characters were sooo good!!
I really liked that there was a content list on the authors website, highly recommend checking it out.
Content:
Mentions of demons
Sexual assault of a child, not on page but it’s a big part of the story and it thought about a lot. The flashbacks are very creepy and disturbing.
Obsession, like the consuming obsession combined with darkness is a little off putting but I was okay with it so….
Murders, some rather descriptive and kinda gorey.
All in all, I really liked it! It’s very different from what I normally read. I loved the verse of Rescue by Lauren Daigle, it fits so perfect with Wren. She makes me want to cry the poor girl.

[thelilcloseddoorbookgal]

It prioritized vibes and mood over plot progression, and some of the character thoughts were overly repetitive. It was WAY underdeveloped. The worldbuilding was mid at best, and the “romance” aspect was like every other basic romantasy and felt forced. Overall, it reads like a first draft.

[Brittanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories whisper. Oceans of Ink stains on your heart and secrets in your head.

💛Wren and Castien pulled you in fast. Both are easy to root for, and their story leans so heavily on banter, tension and emotional undercurrents. Their dynamic makes for a cozy read, especially with a simple magic system. Her ability to sense emotions paired with his talent for blocking them creates this delicious push and pull. It’s a clever twist on familiar tropes that doesn’t feel stale.

👏And then there’s the setup: forced proximity through a school project. Yes, it’s a classic, but it works.

📚When you read his journal entries about her. Equal parts tender and revealing. But her journal… that’s where the story quietly breaks your heart. 👀💔

💌 The epistolary elements shine. Their snarky, sometimes vulnerable exchanges carry weight, sho grief, healing, and the slow, careful process of letting someone in again. The burn here is slow, deliberate, and worth every page.

🔍Threaded through it all is a mystery that lingers just out of reach. The painting, the hints, the feeling that something in Wren’s past is circling closer with every chapter. It builds this soft tension that keeps you reading one more page… and then another.

✨A thoughtful blend of magic, emotion, and intrigue, fantasy and clean romance with characters you’ll want to continue following in book 2!

[ezra [semi ia] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED THE NEXT BOOK AGHHHHH😭🙏
SO, SOOOO GOOD!!!
possible frtc!!

[Nikoleta L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is just…I mean, WHAT IS THIS? Have I missed something? Have I skipped all the pages where stuff happens? How on earth has anyone read this and thought: “This is a book.”? I include here the author, the editor, the publisher and all the people who have read this. Everyone, and their mother.
This is not a book. At best, this is like 20 percent of a book. Will I read the second one? Yeah, probably. Just to see if Conwell can do nothing twice.

[Megatron · Rating 5 out of 5]

|| ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ||

“They had shared an ocean of ink, a sea of parchment, all laced with secrets and memories.”

Couldnt have been more stoked in finding out that one of my all time fave romcom authors was debuting a gothic dark romantasy?? IM SORRY sign me up! It was such an incredible and immersive experience journeying through this haunting and mysterious story Annah has graced us with!

The writing style is beyond beautiful, and so perfectly descriptive. I couldnt help but notice that the world felt SOOO tangible and real. I felt like I was on Whispering Isle with them! 🌬️

The incredible world-building drew me in right from the start, and didnt let up once. And most importantly, its soooo immersive without being overwhelming or overly complicated — which I need! 😅

Wren and Castian’s dynamic completely steal the show. Their correspondence back and forth was so fun to read, but so emotional at the same time. Although… I will still admit that Finn’s character type is right up my alley. I thorougly enjoyed his banter and wit. 🤪

All in all, such a good read. Such a good time. Now I dont know what to do with myself until the second book is released because ANNAH… I NEED ANSWERS 🫠

WHAT TO EXPECT:

💖 BEAUTIFUL slowburn
⚔️ Mysterious deaths
🛡️ Academy training
🤣 Friendships and witty banter
✨ Magical gifts
🖋️ Secret letters
🖤 Gothic atmosphere
🫦 YEARNING
❤️‍🩹 Emotional turmoil and healing

📖 HUGE thank you to Annah for the opportunity to read this beautiful ARC! I’m beyond excited for what comes next and so grateful to be apart of it all watching Annah make history!

[ReneeReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ocean of Ink is the first book in a duology and takes it's time to set up the story for what’s to come. The plot moves at a slower pace, and there isn’t a lot of action or major events throughout much of the story. However, the characters are very likeable, which makes it easy to stay invested as the book unfolds. The ending was unexpected and makes me curious to see how the story continues in the next book.

I enjoyed the audio narration done by Alys Wilde & George Reid.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamsape Media for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 3/17/26

[Ella Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️6

OH MY GOODNESS
Annah has done it again! This book couldn’t be more perfect! The yearning! The swoon! Eeek
Castien is literally perfect, this man *swoon*🫠 He helped Wren see herself as a fighter and saw her worth and strength even though she didn’t see it herself🥹😭
Wren was also such an incredible character I loved her so much! I loved how she was the soft light Castien needs in his life 😭
They both found each other and I loved that!
I adore him and Wren so so much! They were the CUTEST EVER!
I love how they exchanged letters and how he was so gentle with her🥰
When Castien gave her sword fighting lessons was one of my most favorite parts 🤭🤩
I NEED the second book DESPERATELY 😭 (help I’m genuinely not okay after that)
Definitely would recommend this gem of a book!🥹🎀



tropes:
🖋️no-spice romantasy
🌊dark academia
🖋️soft MMC
🌊secrets
🖋️they exchange letters
🌊sword fighting lessons
🖋️dual pov


CONTENT:
- kisses only (closed door)
- no language

[Alexiani G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my God, where did this book go?? I was soo anxious and fearful of the ending but I actually liked how it ended, I know some heartache is probably around the corner but man, this book went by so fast. I can't express with words alone how much a LOVED the letters, I mean, I was working and in the front of my mind was how gorgeous their letters and words were lol and how perfect Cas and Wren are and how they are helping the other heal without even realizing it.

This book is perfection! I want to reread but I honestly have other things to do lol

Rtc!

----

One of the writer I love ready to step into healthy dark romantasy???? hell yes

[Lana C · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Listened to through NetGalley*

This book! I honestly don’t even know where to start. All I know is that it is my first 5 star of the year!

It’s slow-paced in the best way, with a murder mystery happening in the background, but the real focus is Wren and Castien growing as people and slowly building such a sweet relationship.

The magic is really quiet too. You don’t actually see it much. It’s more like everyone just has an innate ability they’re naturally good at, and that’s their magical gift. The whole book feels very calm and soft, but somehow still really interesting at the same time.

The writing has this airy, fairytale vibe, but there’s also this eerie feeling because the whole story takes place on this foggy, dark island that they’re literally stuck on until the tides change. I haven’t been this excited about a book like this in a while and I still feel like I can’t fully explain why it’s so good!!!

My favorite part by far is the letters between Wren and Castien. 🥹🤭 The character development just through those letters is so good. I could honestly read a whole book that’s just their letters. The banter is adorable, and the way their relationship grows feels really natural.

Another thing I loved is that I’ve been struggling to find books with a softer MFC, and Wren is exactly that. She’s trying to figure out the truth behind her brother’s death, but she struggles with sword fighting, still wants to wear ribbons and jewels, and dreams about living in a little cottage in the hills. Her strength comes from her determination and her need to find the truth. It was just really nice to see a softer MFC because strength isn’t only about how good you are at fighting.

Basically, everyone should read this book. And if you listen to the audiobook, even better, because it really adds to the banter between the characters.💖

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

top tier yearning no notes

[Brina's Emotional Borrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated this 5 Stars

Wow. That was my first reaction when I finished this. Ocean of Ink is one of the strongest true slow burns I’ve read in a long time — patient, intentional, and incredibly satisfying.

This book is the definition of a slow burn and takes its time in the best way! The relationship grows through:
• letters
• small gestures
• shared moments
• quiet trust
• and a steady shift from formality to something warmer

The letter writing is the standout. Watching their salutations evolve felt like watching two people open up inch by inch. A brush of hands carried more weight than most books’ full romantic scenes. If you love a male lead who falls first and yearns, this book delivers.

Wren is the kind of FMC I love to read. She isn’t discovering a hidden power or stumbling into strength she didn’t know she had. She already knows her gift, her limits, and her trauma. She doesn’t think of herself as strong, but she is:
• clever
• observant
• diplomatic
• emotionally controlled
• and quietly strategic
She prefers to be underestimated, and she uses that to her advantage. Her kindness and wit make her incredibly easy to root for.

Castien is the definition of a “falls first, falls quietly” MMC. His interest shows up in small ways: the letters, the excuses to talk to her, the subtle protectiveness. Nothing is over the top, and that restraint makes every shift in tone feel meaningful.

Don’t even get me started on the banter. It’s sharp, witty, and quietly sarcastic in a way that fits the tone perfectly. And it isn’t limited to Wren and Castien—the side‑character exchanges are just as fun.

This is a closed‑door romantasy, and honestly, the emotional build‑up is strong enough that it doesn’t need anything more.

Alongside the romance is a well‑paced mystery involving coded journals, political secrets, and a string of murders. Everyone’s motives feel questionable, and the academy setting adds the right amount of pressure. The mystery and romance balance each other well.

This is a romantasy that leans more toward romance and mystery than deep fantasy lore.
Magic is coded as gifts from the tides, and while these gifts shape characters and politics, the book doesn’t dive into a detailed magic system. There are dangerous creatures in the woods, but this isn’t a world of shifters or magical species. The worldbuilding stays focused on the academy, the Order, and the immediate stakes rather than expanding into broader lore.

For readers who prefer character‑driven romantasy with soft magic, this will hit the mark.

The audiobook is fantastic.
• The female narrator’s delivery of Wren’s journal entries nearly brought me to tears.
• The male narrator’s subtle tone shifts for different characters were spot‑on without ever sounding exaggerated.
• Their pacing, breaths, and emotional timing felt genuine.
I was surprised to see they don’t have larger catalogs, because I would absolutely listen to more from both of them.

My only small frustration as an immersive reader is that the audiobook chapter numbers don’t match the ebook chapters, which makes switching formats a little clunky. But the performances themselves are excellent.

Final Thoughts
Ocean of Ink blends a gentle, slow burn with a compelling mystery and two characters who feel real, layered, and easy to love. If you enjoy:
• closed‑door romance
• slow, steady emotional build‑up
• letter writing
• academic settings
• soft magic
• and MMCs who yearn
…this is absolutely worth picking up. The audiobook is especially strong.

A huge thank you to Dreamscape Media, A.R. Conwell, and NetGalley for the ALC.

[Tatum - nuggetybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Prince Castien Valengard &
Lady Wren Kalyxi
- Slow burn closed door romantasy
- Letters & mystery
- Emotional healing
- Book part of a duology
- Dark Academia with monsters, hidden passages, and secrets
- Magical deadly waters
- Men who yearn, he falls first & hard

✨ a few of my favorite things:
- the world, society, and fashion
- The raw, real, prophetic emotions Wren wars with
- Heron & Wren 🥲
- Finn & Castien
- Ambassador Westover 😂, and his schemes and oddity
- THE LETTERS 👏🏻🥹
- Castien’s gentleness
- Wren’s relentless determination despite her overwhelming doubts

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 1 of the Obsidian Academy Duet - “ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh” was in my notes while reading this book over 50+ times. The surprises, characters’ wit, and veiled confessions kept me screaming in my head and freaking out. The world Annah builds consists of common themes and imagery that is clear. Her prose evokes so much emotion as the characters navigate devastating emotions, circumstances, and expectations. There are different distinct cultures and social rankings in their society which bleed into the academy despite academy’s efforts. Most people in the world have special “Gifts” that can give them special powers or enhance abilities. There are secrets, mystery, and danger around every corner.

I so appreciated the depth of emotion throughout the book. Wren has experienced some of the worst of the worst; however, her loyalty to her brother and fierce determination propel to continue even when she rather succumb to drowning. She has so much stacked against her but she is able to hope even against herself.

Castien is a complex man who also wars with himself for much different reasons. He outwardly doesn’t change his behavior drastically but his thoughts and feelings rapidly change through the book despite his resolve.

I really loved the main characters and the bond they formed even keeping each other at arms length. The side characters also create their own chaos and add to the story in a way that is *chefs kiss*. I definitely want more info on some of these side characters and cannot wait to see who Castien and Wren fully open up to. Also also. I NEED MORE DETAILS TO FIGURE OUT THIS MYSTERY.

I’m dying to see this slow burn finally become the lovers 🫠 alas we got a cliff hanger 😂 IMPATIENTLY WAITING FOR BOOK 2 👏🏻🥲

This is a two part closed door fantasy which includes heavy themes that are tactfully handled. Author has a warning at the beginning of the book that is spoiler free and detailed content warning list with spoilers on her website.

**Thank you so much to Annah for letting me read this gifted ARC. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**

[Brend · Rating 4 out of 5]

may I have the sequel now, please?

[Cups and Thoughts · Rating 3 out of 5]

would you look at that cover 🥹✨ it’s giving dreamy academia and i’m all for it. i thought this was cute and sweet, but something about it just didn’t quite grip me. the writing was beautiful (kinda giving divine rivals iykyk) and the audiobook was wonderful. i’m looking forward to reading the sequel! :)

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited and intrigued that one of my favorite romcom authors was debuting a dark fantasy book and it did not disappoint!

This story had all of the best elements of a romantic fantasy - angst, tension, secrets, slow burn - without any spice or explicit content. It almost had the vibes of Harry Potter with lighter/softer magical elements yet was still very eerie.

Though this book is closed door, it was by no means cheesy or shallow. The story has several serious, complex, and heavy themes unveiled throughout that broke my heart and made me righteously angry. I enjoyed how the darker topics were handled in a sensitive manner while still showing the gravity of things like death, grief, and past trauma. Seeing both Wren and Castien face their pasts and be vulnerable with each other was so beautiful to read! Plus with that ending… I need book two ASAP!

I cried and laughed reading this story. I could tell how much AR Conwell poured into this book. It felt raw and personal yet so full of hope, even amidst the darkness.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings: death of a sibling, grief/depression, mentions of childhood sexual assault (not graphic/descriptive), murder/violence

[peppermintandprose · Rating 4 out of 5]

•───── 4.5/5★ ─────•

««« 𝒞ℴ𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓃𝓉 »»»
➸ Sexual Content: no spice - no kisses
➸ Language: none
➸ Content ﹢ Trigger Warnings (sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀs!): childhood SA (flashbacks, not graphic), grief, depression, panic attacks, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, murder

««« 𝒟ℯ𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓁𝓈 »»»
➸ Genre: fantasy
➸ POV: third person, dual pov
➸ Tropes ﹢ Themes (sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀs!): soft fmc, royal mmc, slow burn, yearning, secret society, murder mystery, dark academia, letters, monsters, he falls first and hard, magical gifts, puzzles, passageways
➸ Age of FMC: 20 years old
➸ Age of MMC: not given (but seems to be of similar age)

•─────⋅°˖✧✿✧˖°⋅─────•

[Kuu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC.

Hm. I didn't enjoy this as much as other reviewers seem to. I think it's because I'm not a fan of the way the MMC's toxic behaviour (such as stealing Wren's journal?? And his weird possessiveness of these STOLEN SECRETS????????) is framed as "yearning" instead of being a toxic ass who does not deserve Wren's trust. There's too much toxic masculinity here for me (like... you had someone steal this girl's journal and then you keep thinking "these secrets are MINE this is MINE"?? The reason you don't share her secret is because you feel possessive of it, rather than out of respect for her???). This is especially annoying as there is some GENUINE yearning, and yet I can't help but dislike Castien for being a boundary-crossing, possessive ass, and feel a bitterness in the cute yearning scenes because throughout all of them, he is lying to her. That's not the kind of yearning I was hoping for!!!

There also was a lot of focus on Wren and Castien becoming closer, and not a lot of focus on the murders. Which, if I wasn't so upset at the toxicity of Castien's becoming closer with Wren, I might have really enjoyed it, because I do quite enjoy slow-burn yearning, however as every single yearning scene made me angry at Castien, I would have hoped for more murder and less Castien and Wren.

I definitely do want to read the next part, especially with that cliffhanger at the end, but I do also really hope that Castien gets his ass beat for keeping secrets from Wren and lying to her all through this novel, all while working to earn her trust and, apparently, genuinely being into her.

The narrators did a great job, and I really hope they will narrate the next part as well.

3.5 stars

[Camille Mosemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book CAPTIVATED me. From the very first page, I was always thinking about it even when doing other things. Wren is exactly the heroine I’d love to see more of in romantasy novels. Sweet, kind, feminine, and gentle. I am still blown away that this is A.R. Conwell’s FIRST fantasy book! It was so amazing!

And Castien. How on earth was I supposed to not smile at the way he thinks about Wren?? If you want yearning and pining then read this book! It does not get much better than this! I thought his Gift was so interesting and the way it focuses on Wren was just soooo good!

I’m so eager to find out what happens next and so upset that I have to wait for the next book! Wren and Castien (as well as Finn) definitely have my heart!

I was graciously gifted an ARC copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Michelle | Ink And Earth Tones · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ rounded up!

𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Regency/Victorian era, in an area known as Seven Havens; most of the book is set at an Elite boarding school known as Obsidian Academy, on a mist covered & isolated island that is surrounded by a dangerous forest. It is definitely atmospheric & gothic feeling! 🖤

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! I loved the atmosphere, the murder mystery added a lot of intrigue and kept me turning the pages, I enjoyed that the magic system was subdued and didn’t overpower the plot or the romance, but THE ROMANCE was where this book really landed hard for me emotionally 💘 our FMC Wren was dealing with both past trauma and also the grief of losing her brother, and she was so strong but also very human in dealing with those emotions. Castien, our MMC, falls first and was DOWN BAD! He really worked hard to win her over, but in the gentlest & most compassionate way while Wren was suffering. But 👏 their 👏 banter 👏 was so funny! I laughed with them, I cried with them (and I don’t cry from a book very often!) This was a really, REALLY enjoyable read for me and I believe it was the right book, the right time!

My only true gripe with this book is that for some of the fantasy elements and plot points to be so prominently featured in the synopsis, they really were not flushed out or expounded on. And because there wasn’t a lot of detail and inclusion, they felt a little tropey. (Examples: magic system, secret society, deadly woodland creatures). If these things were built up more, this would easily have been a 6 ⭐️ read for me! I believe this is the author’s first fantasy novel, so I have grace for that and will hopefully expect more in the second book!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
🖤 Regency/Victorian gothic romantasy
🖋️ Murder mystery
🖤 Deep love between siblings
🖋️ Political Intrigue
🖤 Emotional healing
🖋️ Dark academia

💘 No spice; no kissing; emotional connection only
🤬 No profanity

‼️ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 ‼️
Implied SA (off-page, not described), panic attacks, depression, suicidal ideations, moderately graphic depictions of murder victims (violence off-page).

[Bookishness]

~Pre-read~ Recevied an ARC copy! Dark academia, men who yearn, mystery, a slow burn, good gothic vibes! um yessss please.. review to come :)

[Reagan Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Was it good? Yes
Best book ever? No
Not bad for her first fantasy though! Some of the plot elements were scattered which was weird and it took me a hot second to get into the style of writing but the detail was very interesting and fun to read!

[✨Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★⯪ 4.5 stars!!

✒️✒️✒️

Oh my goshhhh!! Talk about an absolutely BEAUTIFULLY written book! The prose here was magnificent!. The author certainly knows what she's doing!! The world-building and characters were really well done, and talk about the ROMANCE! Totally a slow-burn. The sentences and words were lush and descriptive, taking you to a paper-and-ink, candlelit library, heaven.

The themes in here were deep, but I was very thankful for no spice and nothing over the top.

Beautiful.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I’m gonna round up because overall I did enjoy this book, and I know this author can deliver. I think this book was better than just good, but ultimately I was left wanting. This author is an established romance writer under the name Annah Conwell and I have read and really enjoyed the entirety of her Carter Brothers series. I was excited to see her venturing into the fantasy realm! All that to say, I was able to have a lot of grace for this being a debut in a new genre. I hope she writes more fantasy romance as I’m sure she’ll get better at her craft in this space over time!

One of the things I enjoy about the fantasy genre is the world building. I like to get to know new realms and what makes them unique. How do the politics work? What are the cultures like? Are there magic systems? What’s the geography like? Should we feel like we’ve gone back in time? This story almost completely takes place at Obsidian Academy yet I know almost nothing about it. What is its history? What kind of school is it? I wanted so much more world building than we got in Oceans of Ink. I felt like we were dropped down into the world and not given much to set the scene.

A big part of the story is the mysterious and secretive Order, which Castien is the head of. I wanted more details about this Order other than being told it’s a Big Secret and Super Important. What do they do? How does it work? How has it stayed secret from the staff? (Or has it?!) It seems to consume all of Castien’s time and energy yet all we see of the Order actually doing anything on the page is a 10 minute meeting that happens one time.

I also felt the writing was a little repetitive in the beginning. It seemed like I couldn’t go two pages without coming across the word “investigation.” It was almost as if the author wasn’t quite sure how to navigate and settle in to this new genre of storytelling.

And with all of the talk and mentioning of investigations, we’re still left with almost no answers by the end. Castien’s plot line opens with him seeking explanations and evidence regarding Heron’s murder. But once school starts that all disappears, or seems to. Nothing on the page comes about from the School Administration looking into things. And Wren doesn’t investigate so much as she tries to decipher her brother’s journal. But I will say, she does make progress by the end of the book. There are multiple dead bodies by the time we’re through and I can only hope book 2 addresses this storyline more thoroughly.

So where does this book SHINE? Conwell really hit her stride once the letter writing began. 💌 Naturally so, as this is where the romance enters the scene. The letters were done so well and they were my favorite part of the book! And the dance scene at the end, sigh… This is the first time I’ve ever highlighted something in my kindle. So many sentences were beautiful and swoon worthy!

Conwell also introduces early on a very HARD backstory for Wren, but she does so gently. She does not shy away from things, but is also tactful. I’m ready to watch how this aspect of the story plays out between Castien and Wren in book two. I can only imagine it will be sweet and tender.

I almost wish this was not a duology but a really long standalone! I do recommend this if you’re looking for a spice free fantasy romance. I have faith book 2 is going to answer all of my questions and definitely deliver on the romance. I know Conwell can write a good book, so I believe I will be left loving this series overall.

[Evelyn (Ev’s Novel Delights) · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Clean NA Romantasy)

Ocean of Ink By A.R. Conwell

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!! WHAT WAS THAT ENDING???! (If y’all read this prepare for an evil cliffhanger! 😂💀) The beginning was a bit slow for me at least lol but i started loving it as soon as it started picking up pace 😍
And I really like Wren and Castien - AND THEIR LETTERS 🤭🤭
BUT WE DIDNT EVEN GET A SINGLE KISS FROM THEMMMM… LIKE I NEEDED SOMETHING HAHA
I need the second book NOW.. it’s not just a want, it’s a NEED
How could you do that to us dear author?!!

4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

review to come! 🥰🥰