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Nightwild Rising
In the mortal world fae are hunted for sport.
They are collared, caged, and their bodies reshaped into trophies before being released into warded hunting grounds. Nobles pay to hunt them down and mount their heads on walls.
My father has arranged a hunt for my birthday.
One day of excitement. One perfect kill.
What I get is a hunt that ends with the wrong body on the ground, and a fae quarry who refuses to stay in his place. By nightfall, I'm the captive of the most dangerous thing this world has ever tried to turn into game.
A fae warrior with centuries of rage, and no intention of letting humans decide how his story ends.
They are collared, caged, and their bodies reshaped into trophies before being released into warded hunting grounds. Nobles pay to hunt them down and mount their heads on walls.
My father has arranged a hunt for my birthday.
One day of excitement. One perfect kill.
What I get is a hunt that ends with the wrong body on the ground, and a fae quarry who refuses to stay in his place. By nightfall, I'm the captive of the most dangerous thing this world has ever tried to turn into game.
A fae warrior with centuries of rage, and no intention of letting humans decide how his story ends.
564 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2026
About the author
L. Ann
49 books1,021 followersIf you are looking for gentle romps through the flowers, with lovers holding hands and never making mistakes, then my books are not for you.
I don't write heroes or heroines, I write people with baggage, history and problems. My characters are flawed, they're messy, they make disastrous mistakes that are hard to come back from. My stories are not sweet or kind, they are dark and, at times, cruel. They deal with uncomfortable subjects and I do not apologise for it.
If you like plot twists, characters you don't think you'll ever grow to love but eventually do, sarcasm, dark paths and messy relationships, then come on in. The water may be deep and shark-infested, but I know the way out ...I promise.
You can find L. Ann at the following locations:-
NEWSLETTER ➙https://lannauthor.com and get a FREE E-BOOK!
AMAZON -- https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B078...
FACEBOOK -- https://www.facebook.com/LAnnAuthor/
READER FB GROUP -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/lanns... - join her Reader Group on Facebook and be in with a chance to pick up ARCs and swag before anyone else.
BOOKBUB -- https://www.bookbub.com/profile/l-ann
INSTAGRAM -- https://www.instagram.com/lee_ann_aut...
TWITTER -- https://twitter.com/LeeAnn_Author
VIP Reader Group - https://clubdamnation.com
I don't write heroes or heroines, I write people with baggage, history and problems. My characters are flawed, they're messy, they make disastrous mistakes that are hard to come back from. My stories are not sweet or kind, they are dark and, at times, cruel. They deal with uncomfortable subjects and I do not apologise for it.
If you like plot twists, characters you don't think you'll ever grow to love but eventually do, sarcasm, dark paths and messy relationships, then come on in. The water may be deep and shark-infested, but I know the way out ...I promise.
You can find L. Ann at the following locations:-
NEWSLETTER ➙https://lannauthor.com and get a FREE E-BOOK!
AMAZON -- https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B078...
FACEBOOK -- https://www.facebook.com/LAnnAuthor/
READER FB GROUP -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/lanns... - join her Reader Group on Facebook and be in with a chance to pick up ARCs and swag before anyone else.
BOOKBUB -- https://www.bookbub.com/profile/l-ann
INSTAGRAM -- https://www.instagram.com/lee_ann_aut...
TWITTER -- https://twitter.com/LeeAnn_Author
VIP Reader Group - https://clubdamnation.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dark, addictive and full of rage. Exactly what I needed after so many insta love wannabe enemies to lovers stories.
I was absolutely obsessed from the very first chapter. L. Ann always knows how to hook me and then proceed to reel me in with trauma while never actually releasing that hook or giving me air to breathe. It's a fun ride lol
This is set in a world where fae have been imprisoned for the last 300 years. You've got a tortured Fae warrior with lots of damage and rage being hunted by a pretty princess human. What could go wrong? 😬 I'll just say Alleria does not have a good birthday 🤣
If you're like me and have been looking for a story with actual hate between the main characters you need this book. If you also love books that give you delicious side characters L Ann delivers. There might be a certain fae male I claimed when I met him. Yup that inner voice said "mine" and now I need more of him please 😏
I cannot wait for book 2! Give me all the drama and the pain Lee. Bring it on!
I was absolutely obsessed from the very first chapter. L. Ann always knows how to hook me and then proceed to reel me in with trauma while never actually releasing that hook or giving me air to breathe. It's a fun ride lol
This is set in a world where fae have been imprisoned for the last 300 years. You've got a tortured Fae warrior with lots of damage and rage being hunted by a pretty princess human. What could go wrong? 😬 I'll just say Alleria does not have a good birthday 🤣
If you're like me and have been looking for a story with actual hate between the main characters you need this book. If you also love books that give you delicious side characters L Ann delivers. There might be a certain fae male I claimed when I met him. Yup that inner voice said "mine" and now I need more of him please 😏
I cannot wait for book 2! Give me all the drama and the pain Lee. Bring it on!
March 10, 2026
Was it perfect? No. Could it have used more depth in the world-building and characters? Yes. However, it has some really interesting concepts, and I found the story captivating enough to overlook that most of the time. I’m very much looking forward to the next book
Review of advance copy received from Author
A heartstoppingly stunning read. Nightwild Rising is the first part of a dark fae fantasy romance. The fae have been caged, abused, controlled and hunted for 300 years. They have no access to their magic and they are seemingly broken. Until the day of Alleria's birthday hunt. Alleria sees beyond the fae stories she has been told and sees their degradation for what it is. The fae she is supposed to kill, Cairn, becomes an unexpected alliance with the two of them becoming something more powerful that either could've predicted.
As with every L.Ann book, you are best to read blind. Spoilers will only serve to detract from the tension and beauty of this story. L.Ann has put her soul into creating these characters, their strengths and flaws, their chemistry and their potential. It is hard to describe without going into too much plot detail. Just be assured it is a gripping and dark read. Heed the TWs as this touches on captivity and past trauma. Be prepared for an epic story which will leave you breathless and frustrated in equal measure.
As with every L.Ann book, you are best to read blind. Spoilers will only serve to detract from the tension and beauty of this story. L.Ann has put her soul into creating these characters, their strengths and flaws, their chemistry and their potential. It is hard to describe without going into too much plot detail. Just be assured it is a gripping and dark read. Heed the TWs as this touches on captivity and past trauma. Be prepared for an epic story which will leave you breathless and frustrated in equal measure.
March 4, 2026
Holy Hannah this book! The author took a Fae romantasy and gave us something new and different. She built a world filled with everything you would expect and so much more. Alleria may be a princess when the story starts but when this book ends she has grown to so much more. I never anticipated how the story would go. The author took us for a ride in a world that made all other fae stories pale in comparison. Each chapter furthered the story and every seemingly innocent bit of information turned out to be vitally important. The author transported me into a fantasy world that was well built and ever growing. And that ending!!!! I was on. The edge of my seat and couldn’t believe she left off there!! I need more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Brilliant, exceptional, amazing!!
I don't know what having read a good book looks like to you, but for me it leaves me desperate to read more, with the characters still living inside my head and constantly thinking about what I've just read to the extent I can't pick up another book. ....... well Nightwild Rising left me with all this and oh so much more.
I am so in love with all the characters that L Ann has created and the story she has woven with her words that I don't think I will ever be the same again.
This book is the beginning of another epic fantasy series from an exceptional author and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It will keep you enthralled and enchanted from first to last page and probably haunt you for a very long time.
Enjoy
I don't know what having read a good book looks like to you, but for me it leaves me desperate to read more, with the characters still living inside my head and constantly thinking about what I've just read to the extent I can't pick up another book. ....... well Nightwild Rising left me with all this and oh so much more.
I am so in love with all the characters that L Ann has created and the story she has woven with her words that I don't think I will ever be the same again.
This book is the beginning of another epic fantasy series from an exceptional author and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It will keep you enthralled and enchanted from first to last page and probably haunt you for a very long time.
Enjoy
March 16, 2026
Excuse meeee! Finished this book in under 24hours! Amazing storyline, great pace, love the characters! Please tell us book 2 is releasing tomorrow? 🤭🤩
5 star read without hesitations
5 star read without hesitations
April 9, 2026
2.75 stars
This started off really good, but went down hill pretty fast due to the lack of world building and major plot holes. This read very much so like an outline of an epic fantasy romance. The elements were all there but it just ended up feeling hollow due to the lack of character descriptions and world building. Nothing ever felt fully fleshed out. I think this author has potential, they just need to spend more time on descriptions etc.
This started off really good, but went down hill pretty fast due to the lack of world building and major plot holes. This read very much so like an outline of an epic fantasy romance. The elements were all there but it just ended up feeling hollow due to the lack of character descriptions and world building. Nothing ever felt fully fleshed out. I think this author has potential, they just need to spend more time on descriptions etc.
April 26, 2026
Ok I LOVED this. I so unexpectedly loved this. So few review on all her books, but I'm so glad I took the chance. I will not be able to stop thinking about it. It grabbed me from the first chapter. My theories were wrong, I didn't see the twist until like 4 sentences before it came and I'm going to hate all the days between now and book 2. Yes please, more Cairn and more Alleria!
March 23, 2026
I loved this book. If you enjoyed L. Ann's Veinbound trilogy, you will enjoy this, too. Completely different stories but similar vibes. I was invested from the beginning. Now, the long wait until book 2 is released.
March 19, 2026
SWEET BABY HUMMUS I NEED THAT SECOND BOOK. Bitch you got me in your grips.
May 16, 2026
OMFG THIS WAS SO FUCKING GOOD!! 10 FREAKING STARS!
A true enemies to lovers story. No insta-love, not even an ounce of attraction between the MCs until later when they're forced to spend time together. I just love a cruel hero whose defenses will be slowly torn down by love.
For 300 years, CAIRN has suffered under the hands and torturous whims of human, especially noblewomen who wanted him in their beds without his consent. The rest you can figure out. A majestic being brought low by defeat, his hatred and fury knows no bounds, his simmering rage for revenge slowly building. His freedom comes in the form of a naive human Princess who wanted his head for a birthday present, only for her to fall into his vicious hands.
And oh my, was Cairn BRUTAL. No love lost when ALLERIA nearly died at his hands when they first met. To secure his freedom, Cairn abducted her and formed a blood bond to use the Princess, only for the connection to turn into something more, something uncontrollable.
I loved when the involuntary connection makes him curious about the human female he was supposed to hate. As I mentioned, Cairn has only known human brutality and selfishness, but ALLERIA was an innocent young woman - in many ways, and this provides Cairn a safe space for him to heal again. Despite retaliating upon her how he was treated, he was unable to truly destroy her innocence, instead her difference drew him in, and soon they start developing feelings for each other through a very fine line of love and hate.
ALLERIA was a pampered young Princess who enjoyed hunting. Don't see her in a bad light, I felt so sorry for her, being so powerless and swept aside like nothing important despite being of noble birth. Basically, she has nothing going on for her. Being with Cairn for that short period of time will open her eyes to the brutality of how the Fae were being treated. The girl has a bleeding heart. And that will save her, ultimately. I understood why her character wasn't strong or tough, but she's no weakling or pushover too. When push comes to shove, she shows up and delivers a mental fortitude that will surprise you. Knowledge is power, and this poor Princess just didn't have all the facts. She's also a fighter, one who is young but learning.
In a nutshell, her relationship with Cairn is complicated and turbulent, but she's also the foil to his hardness. The sheathe to his sword *smirks*. Innocence, virgin and naivette. Put together it doesn't sound great, but remember that Cairn is the exact opposite of her. Had the heroine been a hardass bitch, I doubt he would have softened for her.
OVERALL I can't wait for the next book because there's so much left to be explored! How will Cairn and Alleria's reunion be, and will they finally acknowledge their love for each other? And how are the fae going to retaliate against the humans, how will it all play out? I'm dying to know!
PS : This reminded me of Quinn Blackbird's DARK FAE series if anyone is interested to pick up something similar and it's also completed, so you don't have to wait.
A true enemies to lovers story. No insta-love, not even an ounce of attraction between the MCs until later when they're forced to spend time together. I just love a cruel hero whose defenses will be slowly torn down by love.
For 300 years, CAIRN has suffered under the hands and torturous whims of human, especially noblewomen who wanted him in their beds without his consent. The rest you can figure out. A majestic being brought low by defeat, his hatred and fury knows no bounds, his simmering rage for revenge slowly building. His freedom comes in the form of a naive human Princess who wanted his head for a birthday present, only for her to fall into his vicious hands.
And oh my, was Cairn BRUTAL. No love lost when ALLERIA nearly died at his hands when they first met. To secure his freedom, Cairn abducted her and formed a blood bond to use the Princess, only for the connection to turn into something more, something uncontrollable.
I loved when the involuntary connection makes him curious about the human female he was supposed to hate. As I mentioned, Cairn has only known human brutality and selfishness, but ALLERIA was an innocent young woman - in many ways, and this provides Cairn a safe space for him to heal again. Despite retaliating upon her how he was treated, he was unable to truly destroy her innocence, instead her difference drew him in, and soon they start developing feelings for each other through a very fine line of love and hate.
ALLERIA was a pampered young Princess who enjoyed hunting. Don't see her in a bad light, I felt so sorry for her, being so powerless and swept aside like nothing important despite being of noble birth. Basically, she has nothing going on for her. Being with Cairn for that short period of time will open her eyes to the brutality of how the Fae were being treated. The girl has a bleeding heart. And that will save her, ultimately. I understood why her character wasn't strong or tough, but she's no weakling or pushover too. When push comes to shove, she shows up and delivers a mental fortitude that will surprise you. Knowledge is power, and this poor Princess just didn't have all the facts. She's also a fighter, one who is young but learning.
In a nutshell, her relationship with Cairn is complicated and turbulent, but she's also the foil to his hardness. The sheathe to his sword *smirks*. Innocence, virgin and naivette. Put together it doesn't sound great, but remember that Cairn is the exact opposite of her. Had the heroine been a hardass bitch, I doubt he would have softened for her.
OVERALL I can't wait for the next book because there's so much left to be explored! How will Cairn and Alleria's reunion be, and will they finally acknowledge their love for each other? And how are the fae going to retaliate against the humans, how will it all play out? I'm dying to know!
PS : This reminded me of Quinn Blackbird's DARK FAE series if anyone is interested to pick up something similar and it's also completed, so you don't have to wait.
April 13, 2026
Ooh it kinda pains me to not give this 4 stars (I want to round up but it wouldn’t be accurate). I actually find this one hard to rate because there are things that push it to 4 stars and even to 5 but also things that tore me out of the fluidity of the story and irked me enough to make updates.
I’ll start with the writing - found it excellent and not too much telling (vs showing), enjoyable to read
Characters - I liked all characters especially Cairn and our main girl. Ensemble and background characters also felt well fleshed out so I could distinguish them uniquely.
Story - I really really enjoyed the story and how Alleria (arellia?) unlearned her prejudices and how the story dealt with making me understand them.
What I didn’t enjoy was the pacing or rather I did enjoy it all the way up until about 70ish percent and then there was an abrupt shift. We’re doing a slow burn and there’s excellent learning on both sides and then it descends into Cairn not being so otherworldly but just being an alpha male fae who’s super powerful. I guess there are things that get answered in the alternating POV but personally for me it threw me off when they just started acting ~different~ a little too soon
I’ll start with the writing - found it excellent and not too much telling (vs showing), enjoyable to read
Characters - I liked all characters especially Cairn and our main girl. Ensemble and background characters also felt well fleshed out so I could distinguish them uniquely.
Story - I really really enjoyed the story and how Alleria (arellia?) unlearned her prejudices and how the story dealt with making me understand them.
What I didn’t enjoy was the pacing or rather I did enjoy it all the way up until about 70ish percent and then there was an abrupt shift. We’re doing a slow burn and there’s excellent learning on both sides and then it descends into Cairn not being so otherworldly but just being an alpha male fae who’s super powerful. I guess there are things that get answered in the alternating POV but personally for me it threw me off when they just started acting ~different~ a little too soon
March 30, 2026
Ever since I found this author with the Veinbound trilogy I have been hooked. I love her style of writing, her stories are captivating and in depth. She’s become a one click author for me before even reading the blurb of what she writes next because everything I’ve read so far is a 5 star rating. And this book did NOT disappoint. It was raw, and really tugged at the heart strings. It had everything I was hoping it would. The slow burn and journey it took to get there was the chef’s kiss. I loved the characters, and how they built up together and become close. The end had the best of cliff hangers, and I don’t know how I will survive waiting for the second book…. All in all, I very rarely write reviews, but this author and this book whole heartedly deserves it! I absolutely loved it!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Tropes/Trigger Warnings: Dark Fantasy, Fae, enemies to lovers, TW: captivity, past SA
Coupling Type: MF
Characters: MFC: Alleria MMC: Cairn
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Favorite Quote/scene: If you heard their hoofbeats, you were already dead. That's what the humans used to say about us. Mothers used stories of my warriors to frighten children into obedience. No one outran them. No one hid from them. And no one who saw them ride ever saw anything else again.
Over all thoughts on book and/or author: Wow just wow! That was one wild ride! I can't even began to describe the emotional rollercoaster this book had me on. This is one of the best dark fae books I've ever read. It had me hooked from the very first page. I absolutely cannot wait for book 2. I'm definitely in my angry fae era.
Tropes/Trigger Warnings: Dark Fantasy, Fae, enemies to lovers, TW: captivity, past SA
Coupling Type: MF
Characters: MFC: Alleria MMC: Cairn
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Favorite Quote/scene: If you heard their hoofbeats, you were already dead. That's what the humans used to say about us. Mothers used stories of my warriors to frighten children into obedience. No one outran them. No one hid from them. And no one who saw them ride ever saw anything else again.
Over all thoughts on book and/or author: Wow just wow! That was one wild ride! I can't even began to describe the emotional rollercoaster this book had me on. This is one of the best dark fae books I've ever read. It had me hooked from the very first page. I absolutely cannot wait for book 2. I'm definitely in my angry fae era.
March 6, 2026
Still digesting how I feel about this book, but if you're a fan of dark romance and don't care about the trigger warnings you will absolutely fall down this rabbit hole!
One thing I can always depend on when reading a book by L. Ann, she never apologizes for taking you on a wild ride and keeping your emotions hostage!
I will be hoping for audio for this new series!
One thing I can always depend on when reading a book by L. Ann, she never apologizes for taking you on a wild ride and keeping your emotions hostage!
I will be hoping for audio for this new series!
March 27, 2026
Page turner! Amazing read!
I could not put this book down. Such great story telling and characters. Can't wait for the next in the series!
I could not put this book down. Such great story telling and characters. Can't wait for the next in the series!
May 12, 2026
another fae book 😔
March 20, 2026
Must read
Loved this book, hopefully i dont have to wait long for the 2nd book to be released, yesterday is good for me 🤣🤣
Loved this book, hopefully i dont have to wait long for the 2nd book to be released, yesterday is good for me 🤣🤣
March 25, 2026
a truly intriguing concept that I thoroughly enjoyed! can’t wait until book 2 comes out!!
April 3, 2026
I really love a good fantasy book that takes you away from the norm or the "usual" for the genre. For me, this book was one of those that accomplished that.
From the very beginning, it's a different setting. Where the Fae are hunted and treated as trophies, this isn't a sweet falling together of a human and a Fae. Instead, it's a hard look at the reality for Fae through Carin's view. Then, through the eyes of Alleria, we see how much her perception changes.
There's harshness, darkness, bravery, and an ever-evolving roller coaster of feelings between the two. I loved the growth of Alleria! She went from believing the Fae were horrible and to be hunted, to seeing things on the other side in such a way that turns her world upside down. It was beautiful to watch, so to speak.
I absolutely love this book! I can't wait for more. I'm anxious to see how things pick up where they left off. Dang cliffhangers! lol patiently waiting for more.
From the very beginning, it's a different setting. Where the Fae are hunted and treated as trophies, this isn't a sweet falling together of a human and a Fae. Instead, it's a hard look at the reality for Fae through Carin's view. Then, through the eyes of Alleria, we see how much her perception changes.
There's harshness, darkness, bravery, and an ever-evolving roller coaster of feelings between the two. I loved the growth of Alleria! She went from believing the Fae were horrible and to be hunted, to seeing things on the other side in such a way that turns her world upside down. It was beautiful to watch, so to speak.
I absolutely love this book! I can't wait for more. I'm anxious to see how things pick up where they left off. Dang cliffhangers! lol patiently waiting for more.
March 15, 2026
I just love L. Ann's writing style, which clean and spare without a lot of flowery or poetic language, but it still triggers deep emotional responses from the reader. She takes a standard romantasy tropes but twists them into something new and refreshing. Unlike many books, this is a TRUE enemies to lovers tale - I love the characters and where I think the story is headed. I can't wait to read more!
March 14, 2026
A great premise, original story that I couldnt put down. Wish I didn’t have to wait for book two though!
March 12, 2026
WOW WOW WOW
This was a wild ride I devoured it in one sitting,5stars is well deserved. Run go pick it up you won’t regret it.
This was a wild ride I devoured it in one sitting,5stars is well deserved. Run go pick it up you won’t regret it.
March 11, 2026
Great read.
My only complaint is i wish this book was longer lol. Cant wait for book 2 to drop. If you haven't read it read it.
My only complaint is i wish this book was longer lol. Cant wait for book 2 to drop. If you haven't read it read it.
March 21, 2026
Come for the tropes, stay for that ending!
Nightwild Rising is a romantasy with good bones and great tropes. What tropes you ask? There’s the romantasy favorite enemies to lovers along with forced proximity, one bed/one horse, prey/predator, human princess/fae warrior and ALLL the fae rage. While all of that should make a great read, I struggled with this one at times. The action was great. It was fast paced from the start, but it was so repetitive and frankly Cairn, the MMC, was kind of a big meanie and not in a good alpha kind of way.
This story starts with a bit of a role reversal that I found intriguing. Unlike most stories of this type, the humans actually have the upper hand at the start. The fae are not the formidable opponents that they once were but they’re slowly taking their power back and Cairn and Alleria, our FMC, are the driving force for that. This one is never dull. The action starts right in the prologue and sets a dark, violent tone that persists throughout the story. In fact, it’s a little darker and more violent than I usually prefer so if you’re sensitive to that too, you might want to skip this one.
One of the biggest issues with this story for me was the repetition. Within just a few chapters, the descriptions of Alleria’s injuries (broken ribs, aching shoulder, etc.) and Cairn’s rough treatment of her become overused and quite frankly exhausting. Yep, I get it already; you’re hurting. Can we move on now?
Move on we did to another frustrating issue which is character behavior. Alleria’s motivations and her reasoning for not telling the truth about some things are ridiculous and her reactions just don’t always make sense. Then there is Cairn. He’s downright arrogant and the biggest of big hypocrites. He spends about 70% of the book treating Alleria with anger, violence and mockery and the majority of the rest of the time avoiding her or walking away from her at very inopportune times. Their intimate encounters feel like they’re just thrown in for the sake of it. They don’t always fit well within the confines of the story. I will say that I love the magical bond between them. I am an absolute sucker for that sort of thing but that seems to be the basis for their whole relationship. It’d be nice if they actually liked each other outside of the magical connection.
I’m not sure how to feel about the world building. The backstories of the characters feel lopsided. Cairn’s backstory and history is fairly well developed. It’s interesting and engaging even if it’s a bit hard to read the way the fae have been used. While not overly graphic, it is descriptive and not in a good way. As for Alleria, we know that she is a princess, but we don’t learn much more about her family or past until about 30% into the book and even then, the details are scant. It makes it hard to connect to her on a deeper level. I will commend Alleria on not being okay with the status quo. She has to face some hard truths that things are not like she thought. Watching her work through that and come into her own in the here and now was a highlight though. I also would have loved more depth surrounding the Nightwild magic itself. I feel like there is so much to discover there and I hope this world continues to grow and expand in the next book. It definitely has the potential.
This one can be a tough read at times. It is violent and heavy, but that ending is everything. This one finally hits its stride in the last 5-10% of the book and then you won’t be able to put it down. The ending is definitely the strongest part and has ensured that I will pick up the next book. Despite the cliffhanger, the ending was enjoyable and managed to pull the whole story together in a way that left me satisfied and glad that I picked this one up. If you like romantasy reads that are dark, heavy on the enemies part of enemies to lovers and with the slowest of slow burns, add this one to your TBR stat.
Nightwild Rising is a romantasy with good bones and great tropes. What tropes you ask? There’s the romantasy favorite enemies to lovers along with forced proximity, one bed/one horse, prey/predator, human princess/fae warrior and ALLL the fae rage. While all of that should make a great read, I struggled with this one at times. The action was great. It was fast paced from the start, but it was so repetitive and frankly Cairn, the MMC, was kind of a big meanie and not in a good alpha kind of way.
This story starts with a bit of a role reversal that I found intriguing. Unlike most stories of this type, the humans actually have the upper hand at the start. The fae are not the formidable opponents that they once were but they’re slowly taking their power back and Cairn and Alleria, our FMC, are the driving force for that. This one is never dull. The action starts right in the prologue and sets a dark, violent tone that persists throughout the story. In fact, it’s a little darker and more violent than I usually prefer so if you’re sensitive to that too, you might want to skip this one.
One of the biggest issues with this story for me was the repetition. Within just a few chapters, the descriptions of Alleria’s injuries (broken ribs, aching shoulder, etc.) and Cairn’s rough treatment of her become overused and quite frankly exhausting. Yep, I get it already; you’re hurting. Can we move on now?
Move on we did to another frustrating issue which is character behavior. Alleria’s motivations and her reasoning for not telling the truth about some things are ridiculous and her reactions just don’t always make sense. Then there is Cairn. He’s downright arrogant and the biggest of big hypocrites. He spends about 70% of the book treating Alleria with anger, violence and mockery and the majority of the rest of the time avoiding her or walking away from her at very inopportune times. Their intimate encounters feel like they’re just thrown in for the sake of it. They don’t always fit well within the confines of the story. I will say that I love the magical bond between them. I am an absolute sucker for that sort of thing but that seems to be the basis for their whole relationship. It’d be nice if they actually liked each other outside of the magical connection.
I’m not sure how to feel about the world building. The backstories of the characters feel lopsided. Cairn’s backstory and history is fairly well developed. It’s interesting and engaging even if it’s a bit hard to read the way the fae have been used. While not overly graphic, it is descriptive and not in a good way. As for Alleria, we know that she is a princess, but we don’t learn much more about her family or past until about 30% into the book and even then, the details are scant. It makes it hard to connect to her on a deeper level. I will commend Alleria on not being okay with the status quo. She has to face some hard truths that things are not like she thought. Watching her work through that and come into her own in the here and now was a highlight though. I also would have loved more depth surrounding the Nightwild magic itself. I feel like there is so much to discover there and I hope this world continues to grow and expand in the next book. It definitely has the potential.
This one can be a tough read at times. It is violent and heavy, but that ending is everything. This one finally hits its stride in the last 5-10% of the book and then you won’t be able to put it down. The ending is definitely the strongest part and has ensured that I will pick up the next book. Despite the cliffhanger, the ending was enjoyable and managed to pull the whole story together in a way that left me satisfied and glad that I picked this one up. If you like romantasy reads that are dark, heavy on the enemies part of enemies to lovers and with the slowest of slow burns, add this one to your TBR stat.
April 5, 2026
Holy fcking shit!!! 🤯🤯🤯
My apologies for my language but dammit!!!
This might be my top read of the year!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Where do I go from here? What do I do now? How do I go on until book 2?!?!
Such an amazing book with the angst, enemies to lovers, the pull to one another….AHHHH 😍
But you should know it’s not all roses. L. Ann takes you on a battle with your emotions and the war isn’t over 😖
I love Cairn! But he made me question him at times. Hint: he’s a bit of an a**hole. And rightfully so when you’ve been caged and collared for a couple centuries and now this princess thinks she’s going to mount your head on her wall as her birthday present.
Alleria is wonderful! She a very strong FMC right from the start and only gets better with the knowledge she learns through the book.
I cannot wait for Book 2!!!
My apologies for my language but dammit!!!
This might be my top read of the year!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Where do I go from here? What do I do now? How do I go on until book 2?!?!
Such an amazing book with the angst, enemies to lovers, the pull to one another….AHHHH 😍
But you should know it’s not all roses. L. Ann takes you on a battle with your emotions and the war isn’t over 😖
I love Cairn! But he made me question him at times. Hint: he’s a bit of an a**hole. And rightfully so when you’ve been caged and collared for a couple centuries and now this princess thinks she’s going to mount your head on her wall as her birthday present.
Alleria is wonderful! She a very strong FMC right from the start and only gets better with the knowledge she learns through the book.
I cannot wait for Book 2!!!
April 2, 2026
🖤🖤 ‼️CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS. THIS IS A DARK ROMANTASY!!!! ‼️🖤🖤
- ✌🏻 dual POV
- 😡TRUE enemies to lovers ❤️
- 🤬he has RAGE
- 👑she was the king’s spoiled daughter
- 📿unique approach to bonds between beings
- 🚫an unwanted bond, initially 😉
- 🛏️one bedroll
- 🙋♂️male sexual assault survivor rep
- ⭐️PTSD reps
- 🪴strong character growth
- ♾️MCs that find each other & are loyal to each other
L. Ann just dove in, no fluffing or world building, just started the plot and I loved it!
⭐️ First, and very importantly, this was TRUE enemies to lovers. I mean they HATED each other. She (human) tried to kill him (far) and he had been held hostage for hundreds of years, where he was emotionally, physically, and sexually trafficked and abused by humans. Once free, what did he do? Kidnaped her (TWICE), hurt her, and controlled her for a GOOD CHUNK OF THE BOOK!! This was SOOOOOOOOO good. ⭐️
⚠️⚠️⚠️🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣⚠️⚠️⚠️
Adding to my initial review
- I want to note that I read a review for this book that was one star for various reasons, including because the fae MMC was an angry jerk for most of the book towards the human MFC. This book was about fae rage, true enemies to lovers, and the MMC initially being hunted by the MFC and him breaking free and taking her. The author was VERY CLEAR about all of this in her marketing!! So, other reviewer, why the hell did you read this? Again, the author did an excellent job marketing that this was a true enemies to lovers book that included intense rage. The MMC and all the other fae had been captured, neglected, abused, used, hunted, and put into sex trafficking for HUNDREDS of years by humans, and then he specifically had been hunted by the human MFC. Of course he was angry for a good chunk of the book, specifically at a human who tried to murder him…. Of course he took revenge. I’ve seen authors complain (rightfully so!!) that they market very clearly what the book is about but then readers are mad and rate the book poorly because the book was about what the author said it was...
- second, maybe the same review I just mentioned above or another one, there was a comment that the reader didn’t like that the MMC really only gave the MFC a chance because of the bond that had magically developed between them. I didn’t agree with that comment at all and wanted to add my opinion to my review. Again, this male fae had been captured for hundreds of years where he was emotionally, physically, and sexually abused, as well as severely neglected. He also watched for hundreds of years how the humans treated his other fae people. Then, he was selected to be hunted by the human MFC. In order to be hunted he was magically altered, which was very painful. The tables then turned and he got the upper hand. What did this reviewer think? He would just move on after a month of being with the MFC and her human self would be the exception to his rage towards humans? He wouldn’t be an asshole nor take revenge? Of course I found what he did to the MFC to be quite embarrassing, brutal, and abusive. But I understood his behavior due to these hundreds of years of repression and abuse, especially because the MFC specifically tried to kill him first. Seriously though, we’re not talking about a year or even 10 years, we’re talking about hundreds of years… his rage was justified. I don’t think anybody would act in any other way if they had been treated the way he had for that long.
Honestly, I would’ve had a really hard time believing the MMC had any interest in the MFC from just being around her, seeing her change, and her saying she was different… yeah right, why would he believe a human? She easily could’ve been lying. There needed to be a bigger and better reason for why he would’ve challenged himself to actually want and then protect a human. This random magical bond provided the rationale for him to initially think about it, but then time around her made him think further, and as the bond strengthened and pulled tighter, this further pushed him to see her and how she had changed and was different. Again, I would’ve had a really hard time believing any other reason for why he would even consider giving her a chance. Just because she was nice? Just because she was pretty? Just because she said she was sorry and was changing? Yeah right. We really needed a strong and valid reason for why he would look at her differently and not seek further revenge on her. The bond needed to happen and I thought the author did an excellent job explaining this. And of course, it took time, like 3/4 of a book, for him to move past his rage towards her, trust the bond, and see her for more.
⚠️⚠️⚠️🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣⚠️⚠️⚠️
In regard to the story, I really loved how L. Ann flipped the script on this. This was about humans kidnapping, using, and abusing (emotionally, physically, and sexually) the fae, not fae kidnapping humans. The fae were molded by human mage magic to be whatever the humans wanted the fae to be, including taking on features of animals to then be hunted. Additionally, L. Ann changed the gender of the person being abused. Usually it is the MFC finding her rage and fighting back against those who have abused and repressed her, but in this book it was the male. Of course female fae were abused and controlled, but this book really focused on the MMC and his abuse. This change up in the standard trope was fantastic!
⭐️ Let’s talk about the MFC. She was a human princess who lived a very privileged, ignorant, passive life. When given new information about the world that violated her value system, she REALLY struggled to adjust, was not quick to take action, and just sat in her room and cried, even though she was not the one being abused. She was a very flawed and messy character, and you will want to SHAKE and yell at her to be more assertively aggressive. As the book progressed, circumstances and other characters challenged her, and she GREW. She became stronger, both physically and emotionally, finding the strength to stand up for herself, others, and the greater good. She became more defiant and strategic. I could tell that L. Ann intentionally created an incredibly flawed character, as the whole plot and other characters allowed for the MFC to grow, creating a book that was worth reading.
I was thinking at the beginning, sorry MFC, but she deserved to get her butt handed to her. The MFC was hunting to kill the MMC. So, of course he fought back and did what he had to in order to survive, break free of his chains, and obtain his power, all to free his people who were also being abused and wanting to back to the fae lands. If I were him, I would’ve been doing the exact same thing. His rage, viciousness, and retaliation were well earned, especially because the MFC‘s father condoned all of this abuse and the MFC wanted to kill the MMC. At the exact same time, I also understood why the MFC fought the MMC every step of the way, I also would have done the same thing. I appreciated that the MFC developed insight and reflected on what happened to the fae, her role in furthering the MMC’s trauma, and why she was a coward for doing nothing once she learned more.
As I mentioned, you will want to SHAKE the MFC.
- For example, the MFC found out that a woman rented a male fae, and she and her friends sexually assaulted him for a whole night. The MFC did not want justice for the fae, rather she was worried the MMC was going to harm and/or kill the female sexual abuser… If the MFC or we readers had found out that a man had rented and loaned out a female to his buddies/family to be sexually assaulted, of course we would want that man harmed/unalived. But, because it was a female who was the abuser, it did not seem to be taken as seriously by the MFC. The MFC was still concerned about the human female, even thought she was a sexual abuser of fae.
- Another example, the MFC was a princess and even acknowledged she could have done more to help the fae after she visited them in their cages. Instead, she coped by crying and moping around in her room.
- Another example, when the MCs went to a shop to purchase clothing, the MMC was sexually assaulted in front of the MFC by the store clerk and the MFC just stood there and did ABSOLUTELY nothing. She literally said and did nothing. Then, when the MFC and MMC had to go into a room for the MFC to change, she got all snippy at the MMC to turn around because she did not want him watching her change. I was so frustrated with her, what a hypocrite she was. She had no backbone AND she was only concerned about herself. So, it was ok to let someone else get sexually assaulted and she had the power to stop it, yet how dare he see her change her clothes?
I write all these examples to really prepare the reader to be frustrated, BUT don’t give up on her. She developed insight over the book, owned her crappy behavior, and apologized many times. She even owned that she could not repair the damage she caused by being passive and doing nothing. She grew phenomenally and it was so worth the read! I truly do not believe this book would have been as good if the MFC had started out being less prejudice or passive. Her growth was such a critical component of this book.
⭐️ Now, let’s talk about the MMC:
L. Ann did such a great job provoking emotion in me. I felt the MMC and other fae’s rage. We received so much detail about what the humans had done to the MMC and other fae. It was brutal and devastating, making it hard to read at times. Yet, these details were critical to understanding the MMC and his thoughts and emotions. These details added depth to the MMC.
As the tension heated up between the two MCs, I was so frustrated with the MMC for not communicating what the bond was. I totally understood why he did not, but I just wanted him to start being more vulnerable and COMMUNICATE. I fully comprehended that his trauma history with humans and the MFC, impacted him and he did not share more information with the MFC, especially information he did not fully understand himself. Yet, I still wanted him to take a chance. He eventually did and it was great!
The rage in this book caused hand clenching, teeth grinding, and shaking. I felt the MMC’s rage and it was beautiful. I want to be quite clear, I don’t think that the MMC treating the MFC like the humans treated the fae was alright in any capacity, I would never condone this in real life and there were much better ways the MMC could have landed his point; yet, this was a make up fantasy world where we got to see someone take the revenge we all wanted without the morals and ethics we navigate in the real world. Therefore, to see a lifelong survivor of abuse and trauma take back control and show someone complicit in the abuse what it was like to be abused was a strong message. We do not typically see this in real life, so to have it written into the fantasy world was unique. Specifically, the MMC was getting some justice towards the ignorant, pompous princess. The MFC hunted him, once she knew the truth about the fae she did almost nothing, all while knowing she had power to do something (making her complicit), and she took her sweet time apologizing to them for her behavior. The MFC logically understood the harm of what was happening to the fae, but would distance herself from those memories and lived in an emotionally numb state. She was a bystander and thought nothing could happen to her or she didn’t deserve anything bad because she was the “king’s daughter.”
So, when the MMC bluntly called her out (multiple tomes!) and gave her a glimpse of what he and the others had gone through for 300 hundred years was powerful! The MFC complained after ONE day of being on the receiving end of disgusting behavior. The MMC made the point of what she went through was 1/4 what they went through and was only a few hours. The MFC started to really understand how they were treated. Again, in the real world, this would NEVER be acceptable, nor would I ever want it to be. Yet, in a fantasy world where those complacent in abuse got a taste of mistreatment… triggered a feeling of justice that often those abused, mistreated, traumatized, etc. never get.
The MMC was often a complete jerk, which I understood why. However, I also wanted to shake him at times and say “stop it, she has really grown and you know it!”
⭐️ The relationship between the MCs:
This was a complicated and complex relationship. They were enemies, with her trying to kill him and him kidnapping her, hurting her, and showing her a lesson. Despite these major issues, they grow, drop their masks, challenge each other, and find each other. Their relationship went beyond the growing bond between them. She started to find herself independently, discovering who she was and what she wanted. He also started to find himself, growing from who he was before his trauma and now after his trauma. The MCs helped each other develop and start to heal. They understood that they both had major issues and caused each other pain; yet, they could still be more than how they initially behaved. In the end, the MFC and MMC were loyal to each other, no matter what. I love a love story where the MC’s stick together and fight for each other, even if their relationship is difficult, messy, bumpy, and complicated, makes them more realistic, even in a fantasy world.
⭐️ The story itself:
This book was a great blend of character development, romance, and plot, with action scenes. Character development and romance took a front seat, but those two factors really pushed the plot, which I loved. The prejudice, abuse, and control were a main part of the plot. This mimicked the real world and provoked so many thoughts and emotions in me as a reader.
The pacing in this book ebbed and flowed, with the beginning and ending being moderate to fast, and the middle slowing way down. During this slower time, the author started showing the moments between the MMC and his Guard. We were shown the camaraderie that had developed prior to their capture and how it was developing again now that they were out of the cages. Further, the middle of the book showed us how the MFC was being judged and mocked by humans. This was critical for her turning point to understand how evil many humans were. We were also shown how both the MC’s prejudices were challenged, especially when they got to a certain town and were shown a unique place.
There were so many twists, turns, and bombs dropped. I did NOT see the bomb dropped at 56% coming. Maybe if I had paid more attention to the little details I would have seen/predicted this, but I didn’t connect it earlier, which I was super happy about. I love when I’m surprised by something I didn’t see coming! Then more twists at 66% and again at 92%! The one at 92% I thought might happen, which I also enjoyed because I like being right sometimes.
⭐️ Other things about this book that I laughed at or really enjoyed:
- When Therin walked into the MMC’s tent, finds the MCs, and said “Well, this is new.” I was giggling like a child!!
- Another thing I appreciated about the book was that, although the MCs initially lusted after each other, they could understand that had nothing to do with liking someone. The MMC even called out the difference before they physically got together the first time.
- The MMC was a sexual assault survivor. He went through extreme sexual abuse. L. Ann did an excellent job showing us how the MMC navigated trauma related intrusive thoughts during intimacy with the MFC. He frequently had to pause after the trauma related intrusion, remind himself that he was making a choice and not being assaulted again, and then proceed forward.
- L. Ann took time to explain the fae’s magic, specifically how what they could and could not will into existence. This was cool and something I’ve never seen an author take time to explain. Usually, the fae just wave a hand and something form, yet we are never told how. L. Ann did tell us and I really really liked this.
- Vel was a fae female who was more aggressive and was highly abused by the humans. She was rough for most of the book and then grew at the end. I loved watching her growth.
- the betrayals at the end were brutal. We, as readers, got hammered with a few big betrayals (not by the MMC). I felt so bad for the MFC. She was so strong and we really got to see her character growth at the end. She was a whole different person, and I really loved who she became.
- we thought the MMC was angry and had rage this book, But now, how the book ended, I don’t even know what to call his anger. I cannot wait to see what he does in the next book!
- the cliffhanger ending and all the questions I now have…. Really set up book 3!
⭐️⭐️ I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!! ⭐️⭐️
- ✌🏻 dual POV
- 😡TRUE enemies to lovers ❤️
- 🤬he has RAGE
- 👑she was the king’s spoiled daughter
- 📿unique approach to bonds between beings
- 🚫an unwanted bond, initially 😉
- 🛏️one bedroll
- 🙋♂️male sexual assault survivor rep
- ⭐️PTSD reps
- 🪴strong character growth
- ♾️MCs that find each other & are loyal to each other
L. Ann just dove in, no fluffing or world building, just started the plot and I loved it!
⭐️ First, and very importantly, this was TRUE enemies to lovers. I mean they HATED each other. She (human) tried to kill him (far) and he had been held hostage for hundreds of years, where he was emotionally, physically, and sexually trafficked and abused by humans. Once free, what did he do? Kidnaped her (TWICE), hurt her, and controlled her for a GOOD CHUNK OF THE BOOK!! This was SOOOOOOOOO good. ⭐️
⚠️⚠️⚠️🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣⚠️⚠️⚠️
Adding to my initial review
- I want to note that I read a review for this book that was one star for various reasons, including because the fae MMC was an angry jerk for most of the book towards the human MFC. This book was about fae rage, true enemies to lovers, and the MMC initially being hunted by the MFC and him breaking free and taking her. The author was VERY CLEAR about all of this in her marketing!! So, other reviewer, why the hell did you read this? Again, the author did an excellent job marketing that this was a true enemies to lovers book that included intense rage. The MMC and all the other fae had been captured, neglected, abused, used, hunted, and put into sex trafficking for HUNDREDS of years by humans, and then he specifically had been hunted by the human MFC. Of course he was angry for a good chunk of the book, specifically at a human who tried to murder him…. Of course he took revenge. I’ve seen authors complain (rightfully so!!) that they market very clearly what the book is about but then readers are mad and rate the book poorly because the book was about what the author said it was...
- second, maybe the same review I just mentioned above or another one, there was a comment that the reader didn’t like that the MMC really only gave the MFC a chance because of the bond that had magically developed between them. I didn’t agree with that comment at all and wanted to add my opinion to my review. Again, this male fae had been captured for hundreds of years where he was emotionally, physically, and sexually abused, as well as severely neglected. He also watched for hundreds of years how the humans treated his other fae people. Then, he was selected to be hunted by the human MFC. In order to be hunted he was magically altered, which was very painful. The tables then turned and he got the upper hand. What did this reviewer think? He would just move on after a month of being with the MFC and her human self would be the exception to his rage towards humans? He wouldn’t be an asshole nor take revenge? Of course I found what he did to the MFC to be quite embarrassing, brutal, and abusive. But I understood his behavior due to these hundreds of years of repression and abuse, especially because the MFC specifically tried to kill him first. Seriously though, we’re not talking about a year or even 10 years, we’re talking about hundreds of years… his rage was justified. I don’t think anybody would act in any other way if they had been treated the way he had for that long.
Honestly, I would’ve had a really hard time believing the MMC had any interest in the MFC from just being around her, seeing her change, and her saying she was different… yeah right, why would he believe a human? She easily could’ve been lying. There needed to be a bigger and better reason for why he would’ve challenged himself to actually want and then protect a human. This random magical bond provided the rationale for him to initially think about it, but then time around her made him think further, and as the bond strengthened and pulled tighter, this further pushed him to see her and how she had changed and was different. Again, I would’ve had a really hard time believing any other reason for why he would even consider giving her a chance. Just because she was nice? Just because she was pretty? Just because she said she was sorry and was changing? Yeah right. We really needed a strong and valid reason for why he would look at her differently and not seek further revenge on her. The bond needed to happen and I thought the author did an excellent job explaining this. And of course, it took time, like 3/4 of a book, for him to move past his rage towards her, trust the bond, and see her for more.
⚠️⚠️⚠️🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣⚠️⚠️⚠️
In regard to the story, I really loved how L. Ann flipped the script on this. This was about humans kidnapping, using, and abusing (emotionally, physically, and sexually) the fae, not fae kidnapping humans. The fae were molded by human mage magic to be whatever the humans wanted the fae to be, including taking on features of animals to then be hunted. Additionally, L. Ann changed the gender of the person being abused. Usually it is the MFC finding her rage and fighting back against those who have abused and repressed her, but in this book it was the male. Of course female fae were abused and controlled, but this book really focused on the MMC and his abuse. This change up in the standard trope was fantastic!
⭐️ Let’s talk about the MFC. She was a human princess who lived a very privileged, ignorant, passive life. When given new information about the world that violated her value system, she REALLY struggled to adjust, was not quick to take action, and just sat in her room and cried, even though she was not the one being abused. She was a very flawed and messy character, and you will want to SHAKE and yell at her to be more assertively aggressive. As the book progressed, circumstances and other characters challenged her, and she GREW. She became stronger, both physically and emotionally, finding the strength to stand up for herself, others, and the greater good. She became more defiant and strategic. I could tell that L. Ann intentionally created an incredibly flawed character, as the whole plot and other characters allowed for the MFC to grow, creating a book that was worth reading.
I was thinking at the beginning, sorry MFC, but she deserved to get her butt handed to her. The MFC was hunting to kill the MMC. So, of course he fought back and did what he had to in order to survive, break free of his chains, and obtain his power, all to free his people who were also being abused and wanting to back to the fae lands. If I were him, I would’ve been doing the exact same thing. His rage, viciousness, and retaliation were well earned, especially because the MFC‘s father condoned all of this abuse and the MFC wanted to kill the MMC. At the exact same time, I also understood why the MFC fought the MMC every step of the way, I also would have done the same thing. I appreciated that the MFC developed insight and reflected on what happened to the fae, her role in furthering the MMC’s trauma, and why she was a coward for doing nothing once she learned more.
As I mentioned, you will want to SHAKE the MFC.
- For example, the MFC found out that a woman rented a male fae, and she and her friends sexually assaulted him for a whole night. The MFC did not want justice for the fae, rather she was worried the MMC was going to harm and/or kill the female sexual abuser… If the MFC or we readers had found out that a man had rented and loaned out a female to his buddies/family to be sexually assaulted, of course we would want that man harmed/unalived. But, because it was a female who was the abuser, it did not seem to be taken as seriously by the MFC. The MFC was still concerned about the human female, even thought she was a sexual abuser of fae.
- Another example, the MFC was a princess and even acknowledged she could have done more to help the fae after she visited them in their cages. Instead, she coped by crying and moping around in her room.
- Another example, when the MCs went to a shop to purchase clothing, the MMC was sexually assaulted in front of the MFC by the store clerk and the MFC just stood there and did ABSOLUTELY nothing. She literally said and did nothing. Then, when the MFC and MMC had to go into a room for the MFC to change, she got all snippy at the MMC to turn around because she did not want him watching her change. I was so frustrated with her, what a hypocrite she was. She had no backbone AND she was only concerned about herself. So, it was ok to let someone else get sexually assaulted and she had the power to stop it, yet how dare he see her change her clothes?
I write all these examples to really prepare the reader to be frustrated, BUT don’t give up on her. She developed insight over the book, owned her crappy behavior, and apologized many times. She even owned that she could not repair the damage she caused by being passive and doing nothing. She grew phenomenally and it was so worth the read! I truly do not believe this book would have been as good if the MFC had started out being less prejudice or passive. Her growth was such a critical component of this book.
⭐️ Now, let’s talk about the MMC:
L. Ann did such a great job provoking emotion in me. I felt the MMC and other fae’s rage. We received so much detail about what the humans had done to the MMC and other fae. It was brutal and devastating, making it hard to read at times. Yet, these details were critical to understanding the MMC and his thoughts and emotions. These details added depth to the MMC.
As the tension heated up between the two MCs, I was so frustrated with the MMC for not communicating what the bond was. I totally understood why he did not, but I just wanted him to start being more vulnerable and COMMUNICATE. I fully comprehended that his trauma history with humans and the MFC, impacted him and he did not share more information with the MFC, especially information he did not fully understand himself. Yet, I still wanted him to take a chance. He eventually did and it was great!
The rage in this book caused hand clenching, teeth grinding, and shaking. I felt the MMC’s rage and it was beautiful. I want to be quite clear, I don’t think that the MMC treating the MFC like the humans treated the fae was alright in any capacity, I would never condone this in real life and there were much better ways the MMC could have landed his point; yet, this was a make up fantasy world where we got to see someone take the revenge we all wanted without the morals and ethics we navigate in the real world. Therefore, to see a lifelong survivor of abuse and trauma take back control and show someone complicit in the abuse what it was like to be abused was a strong message. We do not typically see this in real life, so to have it written into the fantasy world was unique. Specifically, the MMC was getting some justice towards the ignorant, pompous princess. The MFC hunted him, once she knew the truth about the fae she did almost nothing, all while knowing she had power to do something (making her complicit), and she took her sweet time apologizing to them for her behavior. The MFC logically understood the harm of what was happening to the fae, but would distance herself from those memories and lived in an emotionally numb state. She was a bystander and thought nothing could happen to her or she didn’t deserve anything bad because she was the “king’s daughter.”
So, when the MMC bluntly called her out (multiple tomes!) and gave her a glimpse of what he and the others had gone through for 300 hundred years was powerful! The MFC complained after ONE day of being on the receiving end of disgusting behavior. The MMC made the point of what she went through was 1/4 what they went through and was only a few hours. The MFC started to really understand how they were treated. Again, in the real world, this would NEVER be acceptable, nor would I ever want it to be. Yet, in a fantasy world where those complacent in abuse got a taste of mistreatment… triggered a feeling of justice that often those abused, mistreated, traumatized, etc. never get.
The MMC was often a complete jerk, which I understood why. However, I also wanted to shake him at times and say “stop it, she has really grown and you know it!”
⭐️ The relationship between the MCs:
This was a complicated and complex relationship. They were enemies, with her trying to kill him and him kidnapping her, hurting her, and showing her a lesson. Despite these major issues, they grow, drop their masks, challenge each other, and find each other. Their relationship went beyond the growing bond between them. She started to find herself independently, discovering who she was and what she wanted. He also started to find himself, growing from who he was before his trauma and now after his trauma. The MCs helped each other develop and start to heal. They understood that they both had major issues and caused each other pain; yet, they could still be more than how they initially behaved. In the end, the MFC and MMC were loyal to each other, no matter what. I love a love story where the MC’s stick together and fight for each other, even if their relationship is difficult, messy, bumpy, and complicated, makes them more realistic, even in a fantasy world.
⭐️ The story itself:
This book was a great blend of character development, romance, and plot, with action scenes. Character development and romance took a front seat, but those two factors really pushed the plot, which I loved. The prejudice, abuse, and control were a main part of the plot. This mimicked the real world and provoked so many thoughts and emotions in me as a reader.
The pacing in this book ebbed and flowed, with the beginning and ending being moderate to fast, and the middle slowing way down. During this slower time, the author started showing the moments between the MMC and his Guard. We were shown the camaraderie that had developed prior to their capture and how it was developing again now that they were out of the cages. Further, the middle of the book showed us how the MFC was being judged and mocked by humans. This was critical for her turning point to understand how evil many humans were. We were also shown how both the MC’s prejudices were challenged, especially when they got to a certain town and were shown a unique place.
There were so many twists, turns, and bombs dropped. I did NOT see the bomb dropped at 56% coming. Maybe if I had paid more attention to the little details I would have seen/predicted this, but I didn’t connect it earlier, which I was super happy about. I love when I’m surprised by something I didn’t see coming! Then more twists at 66% and again at 92%! The one at 92% I thought might happen, which I also enjoyed because I like being right sometimes.
⭐️ Other things about this book that I laughed at or really enjoyed:
- When Therin walked into the MMC’s tent, finds the MCs, and said “Well, this is new.” I was giggling like a child!!
- Another thing I appreciated about the book was that, although the MCs initially lusted after each other, they could understand that had nothing to do with liking someone. The MMC even called out the difference before they physically got together the first time.
- The MMC was a sexual assault survivor. He went through extreme sexual abuse. L. Ann did an excellent job showing us how the MMC navigated trauma related intrusive thoughts during intimacy with the MFC. He frequently had to pause after the trauma related intrusion, remind himself that he was making a choice and not being assaulted again, and then proceed forward.
- L. Ann took time to explain the fae’s magic, specifically how what they could and could not will into existence. This was cool and something I’ve never seen an author take time to explain. Usually, the fae just wave a hand and something form, yet we are never told how. L. Ann did tell us and I really really liked this.
- Vel was a fae female who was more aggressive and was highly abused by the humans. She was rough for most of the book and then grew at the end. I loved watching her growth.
- the betrayals at the end were brutal. We, as readers, got hammered with a few big betrayals (not by the MMC). I felt so bad for the MFC. She was so strong and we really got to see her character growth at the end. She was a whole different person, and I really loved who she became.
- we thought the MMC was angry and had rage this book, But now, how the book ended, I don’t even know what to call his anger. I cannot wait to see what he does in the next book!
- the cliffhanger ending and all the questions I now have…. Really set up book 3!
⭐️⭐️ I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!! ⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2026
Book Review 🖤
Nightwild Rising (The Unsealing Book 1) by L. ANN
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nightwild Rising is a dark romance set in a world following a fae x human war. The fae are now being used as slaves, imprisoned and abused for hundreds of years whilst also being mutilsted and hunted for sport. Please check the TWs!
The story is dual POV following Cairn and Alleria as they navigate their prey x predator relationship. It is a true enemies to lovers fiction and is very dark particularly in the first 50% of the book. There are plenty of familiar tropes such as forced proximity, one bed/one horse and warrior x princess. I love emotional damage in romantasy and the author doesnt dissapoint. You feel every second of trauma, guilt, rage and fear the characters do, which makes the redemption arc even sweeter.
'I wrap myself around her mind like armor, thorns facing outward, and I hold. My body is on the ground outside the capital, the hands of my Guard all touching me, gifting me their strength. But the part of me that matters is with her, anchored to the bond, refusing to let go.'
I think one of the most refreshing things about this book is its use of magic in the storytelling is unique for the genre, the author doesnt over-indulge in its explanation and we are trusted as the reader to understand it in our own way. Magic exists and it is used but it isnt overly complex and it takes a backseat allowing the plot to shine.
Honestly the only thing missing for me personally (and this holds no signifigance to the actual writing) would be some character art and a more engaging book cover.
L. Ann has executed a phenomenal first book in a series, I was gripped from the first page and stayed up into the early hours absolutely devouring it. I will 100% be reading again ahead of the next installment.
'Alleria … Aethryn. His voice softens on the word. Let me in.'
Nightwild Rising (The Unsealing Book 1) by L. ANN
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nightwild Rising is a dark romance set in a world following a fae x human war. The fae are now being used as slaves, imprisoned and abused for hundreds of years whilst also being mutilsted and hunted for sport. Please check the TWs!
The story is dual POV following Cairn and Alleria as they navigate their prey x predator relationship. It is a true enemies to lovers fiction and is very dark particularly in the first 50% of the book. There are plenty of familiar tropes such as forced proximity, one bed/one horse and warrior x princess. I love emotional damage in romantasy and the author doesnt dissapoint. You feel every second of trauma, guilt, rage and fear the characters do, which makes the redemption arc even sweeter.
'I wrap myself around her mind like armor, thorns facing outward, and I hold. My body is on the ground outside the capital, the hands of my Guard all touching me, gifting me their strength. But the part of me that matters is with her, anchored to the bond, refusing to let go.'
I think one of the most refreshing things about this book is its use of magic in the storytelling is unique for the genre, the author doesnt over-indulge in its explanation and we are trusted as the reader to understand it in our own way. Magic exists and it is used but it isnt overly complex and it takes a backseat allowing the plot to shine.
Honestly the only thing missing for me personally (and this holds no signifigance to the actual writing) would be some character art and a more engaging book cover.
L. Ann has executed a phenomenal first book in a series, I was gripped from the first page and stayed up into the early hours absolutely devouring it. I will 100% be reading again ahead of the next installment.
'Alleria … Aethryn. His voice softens on the word. Let me in.'
March 7, 2026
Can I give this book 6 stars?!?! I LOVE everything about this story. It is all the things I want in a romantasy...and more!
Human Princess/Fae Warrior = ✔️
True enemies to lovers = ✔️
Plot driven story = ✔️
Slow burn spice that builds until it HITS = ✔️
Fae Rage = ✔️
One bed/one horse/forced proximity = ✔️
This story feels fresh, with new perspectives.
The emotions are written in a way that you FEEL what the character is feeling.
The characters are engaging and full of life with dialogue/banter that will make you laugh, cry and everything in between.
The imagery is stunning!
I read this book as an arc and when it was done, I IMMEDIATELY wanted to read it again. A top contender for book of the year for me...and, it's only March!!!
Human Princess/Fae Warrior = ✔️
True enemies to lovers = ✔️
Plot driven story = ✔️
Slow burn spice that builds until it HITS = ✔️
Fae Rage = ✔️
One bed/one horse/forced proximity = ✔️
This story feels fresh, with new perspectives.
The emotions are written in a way that you FEEL what the character is feeling.
The characters are engaging and full of life with dialogue/banter that will make you laugh, cry and everything in between.
The imagery is stunning!
I read this book as an arc and when it was done, I IMMEDIATELY wanted to read it again. A top contender for book of the year for me...and, it's only March!!!
May 4, 2026
This was my first L.Ann read but I'm going to check out her other books. I absolutely devoured this. It was gripping, tense, emotional and didnt flinch from trauma and the effects on the psyche of being stripped of your freedom and rights.
300 years ago the war between humans and fae which had been carrying on for ever culminated in a bold plan by the humans to close and seal the entrance to Underhill, the Fae homeland. On the battlefield outnumbered and outclassed by superior Fae forces the human commander gives the order to the human mages to close the portal forever. In the chaos of war and among the devastation those Fae trapped on the human side cant escape and are captured.
Fast forward 3 centuries and the humans treat the Fae like animals, keeping them caged, collared, abused, starved, cut off from magic, prostituting out the attractive ones, and magically, painfully modifying them to resemble animals for wealthy patrons to hunt, kill and mount trophies on walls.
Alleria, second daughter of the King is promised a hunt on her 21st birthday, but things dont go to plan and its not long until the tables are turned and she becomes the prey of a powerful and very pissed Fae Warrior who takes her captive intending to use her to help free his people. Cairn, leader of the Nightwild Guard is seeking his companions and he'll do whatever it takes to find them.
This is a true enemies story, no insta love here. I love true enemies books, Cairn and the other Fae harbour huge justified anger, hate, trauma, and grief towards the humans. In turn the humans fear and control the Fae, believing them animalistic, cunning and dangerous.
Cairn holds humans in contempt, Alleria has been taught Fae are no better than wild creatures, but they oh so slowly start to see that each other was wrong and prejudice and ignorance start to give way to something else.
I loved the characters, Alleria is an appealing heroine who doesnt have magic, feels like a spare, isnt particularly gifted at fighting, but is determined, resourceful and plucky. I liked the way she was so relatable. I liked the found family feel, even if there was a lot of suspicion initially.
Cairn is ruthless, magically powerful, bloodthirsty and vengeful, but plagued by torment and suffering. He's a SA survivor, which we rarely see in males, so a thumbs up for highlighting an important, but neglected issue.
The world building isnt complex, there isnt a history of the conflicts between Fae and humans, the magic system is just there, no explanation given. I think the book had dark themes about captivity, violence, consent, bodily autonomy, abuse so if these are triggers be mindful.
My only gripe is I'm not a fan of virgin FMC's vs experienced MMC's, its old fashioned, but I understand that a princess probably not going to be putting it about. Always puts me in mind of Barbara Cartland books.
If you love stories about the Fae, if you love stories with true enemies, genuine hatred turning to something else, angst, tension, yearning and steam, with a real cliffhanger ending, you'll adore this. Roll on book 2.
300 years ago the war between humans and fae which had been carrying on for ever culminated in a bold plan by the humans to close and seal the entrance to Underhill, the Fae homeland. On the battlefield outnumbered and outclassed by superior Fae forces the human commander gives the order to the human mages to close the portal forever. In the chaos of war and among the devastation those Fae trapped on the human side cant escape and are captured.
Fast forward 3 centuries and the humans treat the Fae like animals, keeping them caged, collared, abused, starved, cut off from magic, prostituting out the attractive ones, and magically, painfully modifying them to resemble animals for wealthy patrons to hunt, kill and mount trophies on walls.
Alleria, second daughter of the King is promised a hunt on her 21st birthday, but things dont go to plan and its not long until the tables are turned and she becomes the prey of a powerful and very pissed Fae Warrior who takes her captive intending to use her to help free his people. Cairn, leader of the Nightwild Guard is seeking his companions and he'll do whatever it takes to find them.
This is a true enemies story, no insta love here. I love true enemies books, Cairn and the other Fae harbour huge justified anger, hate, trauma, and grief towards the humans. In turn the humans fear and control the Fae, believing them animalistic, cunning and dangerous.
Cairn holds humans in contempt, Alleria has been taught Fae are no better than wild creatures, but they oh so slowly start to see that each other was wrong and prejudice and ignorance start to give way to something else.
I loved the characters, Alleria is an appealing heroine who doesnt have magic, feels like a spare, isnt particularly gifted at fighting, but is determined, resourceful and plucky. I liked the way she was so relatable. I liked the found family feel, even if there was a lot of suspicion initially.
Cairn is ruthless, magically powerful, bloodthirsty and vengeful, but plagued by torment and suffering. He's a SA survivor, which we rarely see in males, so a thumbs up for highlighting an important, but neglected issue.
The world building isnt complex, there isnt a history of the conflicts between Fae and humans, the magic system is just there, no explanation given. I think the book had dark themes about captivity, violence, consent, bodily autonomy, abuse so if these are triggers be mindful.
My only gripe is I'm not a fan of virgin FMC's vs experienced MMC's, its old fashioned, but I understand that a princess probably not going to be putting it about. Always puts me in mind of Barbara Cartland books.
If you love stories about the Fae, if you love stories with true enemies, genuine hatred turning to something else, angst, tension, yearning and steam, with a real cliffhanger ending, you'll adore this. Roll on book 2.
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