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Way of Wings #2
Darkened Dawn
From the award-winning author of The Mousai series comes the sweeping conclusion to the Icarus-inspired Way of Wings duology—where a forbidden love could save a fractured world…or bring about its end.
Cādra is on the brink of war. With their king in a coma and rebellion spreading across the lands, the winged Volari and horned Süra gather for tense peace negotiations. But beneath the momentary fragile truce simmers unrest—the mixed-blood Mütra rise, demanding the freedom denied them for centuries, as the gods themselves seem poised to intervene.
Tanwen—now a known Mütra and fugitive of the crown—and Zolya, a prince on the precipice to inherit his father’s broken kingdom, find themselves caught in a web of betrayal and divine reckoning. When their forbidden bond is exposed, they risk far more than their love—their lives, their families, and the fragile hope of peace.
Together they must decide whether their love is worth the ruin it may bring to their fractured world…or perhaps be the only key to healing it.
Cādra is on the brink of war. With their king in a coma and rebellion spreading across the lands, the winged Volari and horned Süra gather for tense peace negotiations. But beneath the momentary fragile truce simmers unrest—the mixed-blood Mütra rise, demanding the freedom denied them for centuries, as the gods themselves seem poised to intervene.
Tanwen—now a known Mütra and fugitive of the crown—and Zolya, a prince on the precipice to inherit his father’s broken kingdom, find themselves caught in a web of betrayal and divine reckoning. When their forbidden bond is exposed, they risk far more than their love—their lives, their families, and the fragile hope of peace.
Together they must decide whether their love is worth the ruin it may bring to their fractured world…or perhaps be the only key to healing it.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
E.J. Mellow
17 books1,212 followersE.J. Mellow is an award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of magical mayhem. Her work has been translated into multiple languages, appeared on Best Of lists such as Buzzfeed and Gizmodo and has reached #1 in multiple Amazon categories, as well as received medals from eLit Book Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Readers have said her "lyrical, vibrant, and imaginative" writing sweeps them into "stunning worlds". E.J. is also the co-founder of She Is Booked, a literary themed fundraising organization that supports women’s charities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 30, 2026
3/5
48 Chapters, 330 pages
Published: May 19, 2026 by Montlake
3 POVs, 3rd-person narration
Short/Mid-length chapters; Pacing was mid
Spice included
Began: 25th May 2026
Finished: 30th May
This is going to be barely a 3-star for me.
I'm a sucker for a pretty cover.
This duology (Way of Wings) is based on the Greek legend of Icarus. However, it has so many more elements to it.
Not going to lie, this instalment was weak. It was basically a continuation of the first book and a conclusion.
However,
But I see. I see you. I taste the shape of your longing. I feel the weight of your grief. I cradle your pain.
Notes:
-> Royal politics (peace talks, Rebellion)
-> Deceit, but the main characters are the ones doing it.
-> Mid-stakes, the only high-stakes part is the romance, and the last 10% (Zolya's father, the King is in a coma - not knowing whether he will wake up and seek retribution).
-> Book 1 ended in the death of somebody. Many things can happen in book 2, especially since the two MCs are attempting to cover up their romance and are sneaking around.
Book 1 was definitely better. It had action. It had anxiety and danger. Even though it stressed me out more, I see that as a good thing.
There were not many new plot devices, most of them carried on to what we've been introduced to in book no 1.
A good read, nevertheless. However, at 70%, I felt like I wanted to DNF it.
It's worth a read if you've read book 1, so that you can conclude the story. But keep your expectations low. Very low. Or skip it altogether.
Nearly rated this lower, but alas, the stylistics of the narration wouldn't let me go any lower.
------------
pre-read:
Waiting until the weekend to purchase this!
48 Chapters, 330 pages
Published: May 19, 2026 by Montlake
3 POVs, 3rd-person narration
Short/Mid-length chapters; Pacing was mid
Spice included
Began: 25th May 2026
Finished: 30th May
This is going to be barely a 3-star for me.
I'm a sucker for a pretty cover.
This duology (Way of Wings) is based on the Greek legend of Icarus. However, it has so many more elements to it.
Not going to lie, this instalment was weak. It was basically a continuation of the first book and a conclusion.
However,
But I see. I see you. I taste the shape of your longing. I feel the weight of your grief. I cradle your pain.
Notes:
-> Royal politics (peace talks, Rebellion)
-> Deceit, but the main characters are the ones doing it.
-> Mid-stakes, the only high-stakes part is the romance, and the last 10% (Zolya's father, the King is in a coma - not knowing whether he will wake up and seek retribution).
-> Book 1 ended in the death of somebody. Many things can happen in book 2, especially since the two MCs are attempting to cover up their romance and are sneaking around.
Book 1 was definitely better. It had action. It had anxiety and danger. Even though it stressed me out more, I see that as a good thing.
There were not many new plot devices, most of them carried on to what we've been introduced to in book no 1.
A good read, nevertheless. However, at 70%, I felt like I wanted to DNF it.
It's worth a read if you've read book 1, so that you can conclude the story. But keep your expectations low. Very low. Or skip it altogether.
Nearly rated this lower, but alas, the stylistics of the narration wouldn't let me go any lower.
------------
pre-read:
Waiting until the weekend to purchase this!
May 21, 2026
3 stars!
Thank you to Montlake, E.J. Mellow, and Netgalley for the ARC and ALC!!
This series was something I enjoyed reading, and it had a lot of great things about it!
I liked the fact that this was a little more on the low stakes sort, because most of the action/romance occurred in the first book. While I enjoyed this one being a bit more wholesome and sweet, it did feel a little dry sometimes
I enjoyed seeing Tanwen and Zolya in their separate moments with family and friends. Sometimes it’s kinda repetitive when they’re together. They’re cute, but the intimacy was a little too consistent, especially since it was mostly every time they met up. But this book did have less scenes I think, and I liked that a bit better
I LOVE Huw. Best side character. Literally made me laugh everytime.
I loved Azla too. And Callia. My queens!
I think this book did a wonderful job to wrap up all the loose ends. It was enjoyable and fun, and gives you that warm, light feeling. The plot was simple and easy to pick up and understand, as it mirrors a life similar to reality, but with fantastical elements. It was nice!
Thank you to Montlake, E.J. Mellow, and Netgalley for the ARC and ALC!!
This series was something I enjoyed reading, and it had a lot of great things about it!
I liked the fact that this was a little more on the low stakes sort, because most of the action/romance occurred in the first book. While I enjoyed this one being a bit more wholesome and sweet, it did feel a little dry sometimes
I enjoyed seeing Tanwen and Zolya in their separate moments with family and friends. Sometimes it’s kinda repetitive when they’re together. They’re cute, but the intimacy was a little too consistent, especially since it was mostly every time they met up. But this book did have less scenes I think, and I liked that a bit better
I LOVE Huw. Best side character. Literally made me laugh everytime.
I loved Azla too. And Callia. My queens!
I think this book did a wonderful job to wrap up all the loose ends. It was enjoyable and fun, and gives you that warm, light feeling. The plot was simple and easy to pick up and understand, as it mirrors a life similar to reality, but with fantastical elements. It was nice!
July 31, 2026
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 Stars
Darkened Dawn had a lot going for it.... An expansive fantasy world, forbidden romance, rebellion, political tension, and plenty of divine interference. I enjoyed the overall concept and the stakes surrounding Cadra, Tarwen, and Zolya, but the story felt a little too dense at times and I struggled to stay fully connected to the characters. The narration by Dominique Salvacion and Andre Santana was well done and helped keep everything moving.
💫 What to Expect
• Epic Fantasy
• Forbidden Romance
• Political Intrigue
• Rebellion
• Divine Intervention
🎧 Narration: Dominique Salvacion & Andre Santana
📅 Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
Darkened Dawn had a lot going for it.... An expansive fantasy world, forbidden romance, rebellion, political tension, and plenty of divine interference. I enjoyed the overall concept and the stakes surrounding Cadra, Tarwen, and Zolya, but the story felt a little too dense at times and I struggled to stay fully connected to the characters. The narration by Dominique Salvacion and Andre Santana was well done and helped keep everything moving.
💫 What to Expect
• Epic Fantasy
• Forbidden Romance
• Political Intrigue
• Rebellion
• Divine Intervention
🎧 Narration: Dominique Salvacion & Andre Santana
📅 Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
July 20, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
First off: what do you mean the second book is much shorter compared to the first one?
I started book two minutes after finishing the first one, so everything was still very fresh for me. In a way, it felt like I was binge watching a TV Show that's already finished and just enjoying my time without having to wait.
Compared to Scorched Skies, it felt like something was missing in Darkened Dawn. It might have been the fact, that it simply has less pages (about by half, if we check kindle editions) and almost nothing new appeared. There's also something that I feel like was a major thing: a lot of things seemed to be happening, but at the same time nothing important happened until the last... 20% of the book?
After everything that happened in Scorched Skies + seeing the blurb of Darkened Dawn I expected a lot of action, high-stakes and more of that great tension that Tanwen & Zolya had in book one. I don't think we really got anything of that and even the romance seemed a bit dull in contrast to what we seen before. Compared to the first one (yes, I said that a lot, I know) everything just went... too smoothly? I just feel like they didn't really had any problems and even after some appeared, they went away too easily, almost as fast as they appeared. It made me think of some hard/challenging video game where all of sudden after hours of focus you get a side quest so chill it feels out of blue.
Overall, I did liked it and enjoyed my time, but I feel like the blurb promised something different and it was misleading.
First off: what do you mean the second book is much shorter compared to the first one?
I started book two minutes after finishing the first one, so everything was still very fresh for me. In a way, it felt like I was binge watching a TV Show that's already finished and just enjoying my time without having to wait.
Compared to Scorched Skies, it felt like something was missing in Darkened Dawn. It might have been the fact, that it simply has less pages (about by half, if we check kindle editions) and almost nothing new appeared. There's also something that I feel like was a major thing: a lot of things seemed to be happening, but at the same time nothing important happened until the last... 20% of the book?
After everything that happened in Scorched Skies + seeing the blurb of Darkened Dawn I expected a lot of action, high-stakes and more of that great tension that Tanwen & Zolya had in book one. I don't think we really got anything of that and even the romance seemed a bit dull in contrast to what we seen before. Compared to the first one (yes, I said that a lot, I know) everything just went... too smoothly? I just feel like they didn't really had any problems and even after some appeared, they went away too easily, almost as fast as they appeared. It made me think of some hard/challenging video game where all of sudden after hours of focus you get a side quest so chill it feels out of blue.
Overall, I did liked it and enjoyed my time, but I feel like the blurb promised something different and it was misleading.
May 26, 2026
i was just bored the whole time, first book was better
March 22, 2026
I did like this one, but not as much as the first book. It just didn’t feel like there was much of a plot, and the story kind of limped along. That said, I do like the characters, and I just wish the story had more to it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
And just like that, a beautiful duology has come to a close. I'll miss it as dearly as I loved it, and I loved it a whole lot! Scorched Skies blew me away, I was in literal tears, not figurative, literal tears reading that first book of this duology. While Darkened Dawn did not pull out the same level of emotions from me, its conclusion is wholly satisfying and it ends on the right note. The one we'd all hope for. Which is a big theme in this one: hope. This is an underrated duology that deserves so much more readership. It left its positive mark on me, and I hope it does for all who venture into its world.
This book picks up right where Scorched Skies left off. With his father, the king, on his death bed, Zolya has the chance to right the wrongs of his father and mend a divided world. Tanwen, Zolya's love, also longs to see the world healed, but only once those like her, the Mütra outcast, have found not only freedom but equal footing in power as well. Tanwen and Zolya long to find a way to bring every side together, but their forbidden romance could unravel the threads they have carefully mended.
I'm usually one who has the memory of a goldfish, so I worried I'd have trouble keeping up in this sequel, but everything just rushed right back to me as I began. I *loved* that feeling, of the familiarity and of the love I felt reading the first book all returning as I immersed myself back in its world. Tanwen and Zolya, our leads, absolutely remain the standouts. I adore their POVs in equal measure. I appreciate how strong their love is but that doesn't mean it's always a smooth ride, they still challenge one another and it ultimately strengthens their bond. I also loved the entire cast of characters, particularly Zolya's friends (shout out to my fave Huw!). The cast of characters is the heartbeat of this work.
I genuinely loved this work, truly I did. What holds me back is that political subplot didn't quite capture my attention as it did in the first book. It almost felt there wasn't much to do and the lack of action slowed down the plot. I felt that sort of oomph from the first book simply wasn't quite as present this go around. And yet, what I cared for most, our leads, remained beautifully written and developed. They remain the soul of the work and they dazzle. So while the non-romance plot may have faltered, the love story remains strong as ever. I loved its resolution so very much!
This duology is one you don't want to miss. I'm going to look back at it so fondly and return to it every time I feel that urge to fly.
Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
_______
original post-read thoughts
The duology has come to an end in a way in which I leave satisfied and happy. I loved this duology, it's so underrated in my opinion. The first book just blew me away and it will always be one of those just imprinted in my very soul. I did enjoy and love this concluding sequel, but there also felt something missing. Some extra oomph, if that makes sense? Struggling with the rating because it's not a full 5, but it feels like more than 4? I really wrestle with star ratings to be honest. So I'll go and write my full review and let that decide.
In short: love the duology, this book didn't hit quite as effectively as the first but I still enjoyed its character and romantic arcs even as the rest of the narrative didn't quite fly as high.
Full review to come! (4 or 4.5? not sure yet!)
This book picks up right where Scorched Skies left off. With his father, the king, on his death bed, Zolya has the chance to right the wrongs of his father and mend a divided world. Tanwen, Zolya's love, also longs to see the world healed, but only once those like her, the Mütra outcast, have found not only freedom but equal footing in power as well. Tanwen and Zolya long to find a way to bring every side together, but their forbidden romance could unravel the threads they have carefully mended.
I'm usually one who has the memory of a goldfish, so I worried I'd have trouble keeping up in this sequel, but everything just rushed right back to me as I began. I *loved* that feeling, of the familiarity and of the love I felt reading the first book all returning as I immersed myself back in its world. Tanwen and Zolya, our leads, absolutely remain the standouts. I adore their POVs in equal measure. I appreciate how strong their love is but that doesn't mean it's always a smooth ride, they still challenge one another and it ultimately strengthens their bond. I also loved the entire cast of characters, particularly Zolya's friends (shout out to my fave Huw!). The cast of characters is the heartbeat of this work.
I genuinely loved this work, truly I did. What holds me back is that political subplot didn't quite capture my attention as it did in the first book. It almost felt there wasn't much to do and the lack of action slowed down the plot. I felt that sort of oomph from the first book simply wasn't quite as present this go around. And yet, what I cared for most, our leads, remained beautifully written and developed. They remain the soul of the work and they dazzle. So while the non-romance plot may have faltered, the love story remains strong as ever. I loved its resolution so very much!
This duology is one you don't want to miss. I'm going to look back at it so fondly and return to it every time I feel that urge to fly.
Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
_______
original post-read thoughts
The duology has come to an end in a way in which I leave satisfied and happy. I loved this duology, it's so underrated in my opinion. The first book just blew me away and it will always be one of those just imprinted in my very soul. I did enjoy and love this concluding sequel, but there also felt something missing. Some extra oomph, if that makes sense? Struggling with the rating because it's not a full 5, but it feels like more than 4? I really wrestle with star ratings to be honest. So I'll go and write my full review and let that decide.
In short: love the duology, this book didn't hit quite as effectively as the first but I still enjoyed its character and romantic arcs even as the rest of the narrative didn't quite fly as high.
Full review to come! (4 or 4.5? not sure yet!)
April 14, 2026
I wish this story had MORE. For this to have been a duology and the second book to be a whole 200 pages shorter....it didn't feel complete to me.
I loved the first book even though it took me a minute to get invested. I wasn't sold so much on the relationship, but I was sold on the politics and the fantasy set up. The first book gave you so much to sit with and I felt like you could really feel the tension with some of the dynamics...this one felt completely opposite and brushed over almost everything.
I think....having the first book end with the King being poisoned was a good idea but it took so long for that to be resolved in this one. I don't think it was a fair shake for the politics of the story.
There were also additions from other characters and the gods which...would've been fine but we went from minorly mentioning them to having them play some of the LARGEST parts of the story which felt confusing. It sort of took a religious (real world) turn and I was like hmmm wait a minute 😂. I don't have religious trauma, but it definitely was giving some real life parallels that made me question where it was going.
I liked the romance more here because it really was the C plot with the way they were kept apart. The tension was built in based on the way the story played out. What I didn't like, was how ......unsecretive they were being? I liked their dynamic, especially the way he was constantly ready to give it all up for Tanwen lol. What a man should do! But we should've added another suitor or something like, AGAIN we needed more!
Hated the friend Tanwen had. Hwun? Hwu? The way he regularly openly spoke in ways that would get them in trouble like hey, read the room? I get hating the government but in their world there was very much a time and a place. I know we were going for found family, but I didn't care for it. Same with Habelle. Like I don't care about anything this lady has going on. She did NOT need POV chapters.
My last complaint is the dialogue. It was riding a FINE line of being way too modern for the setting. Like why would they be talking like this? Add on to Zolya constantly calling Tanwen WILDFLOWER like omg.
Idk! I'm not familiar with the Icarus story apart from him burning too close to the sun, but I wanted more from this duology! I felt like it started so good and then turned into a quick closure like we could've just had one 800 page book at that point? I feel like making a whole second book defeated the point of what we actually got.
I'll definitely read it again once it's published just to get a clean copy and see if something has changed but yeah.....could've been one book!
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I loved the first book even though it took me a minute to get invested. I wasn't sold so much on the relationship, but I was sold on the politics and the fantasy set up. The first book gave you so much to sit with and I felt like you could really feel the tension with some of the dynamics...this one felt completely opposite and brushed over almost everything.
I think....having the first book end with the King being poisoned was a good idea but it took so long for that to be resolved in this one. I don't think it was a fair shake for the politics of the story.
There were also additions from other characters and the gods which...would've been fine but we went from minorly mentioning them to having them play some of the LARGEST parts of the story which felt confusing. It sort of took a religious (real world) turn and I was like hmmm wait a minute 😂. I don't have religious trauma, but it definitely was giving some real life parallels that made me question where it was going.
I liked the romance more here because it really was the C plot with the way they were kept apart. The tension was built in based on the way the story played out. What I didn't like, was how ......unsecretive they were being? I liked their dynamic, especially the way he was constantly ready to give it all up for Tanwen lol. What a man should do! But we should've added another suitor or something like, AGAIN we needed more!
Hated the friend Tanwen had. Hwun? Hwu? The way he regularly openly spoke in ways that would get them in trouble like hey, read the room? I get hating the government but in their world there was very much a time and a place. I know we were going for found family, but I didn't care for it. Same with Habelle. Like I don't care about anything this lady has going on. She did NOT need POV chapters.
My last complaint is the dialogue. It was riding a FINE line of being way too modern for the setting. Like why would they be talking like this? Add on to Zolya constantly calling Tanwen WILDFLOWER like omg.
Idk! I'm not familiar with the Icarus story apart from him burning too close to the sun, but I wanted more from this duology! I felt like it started so good and then turned into a quick closure like we could've just had one 800 page book at that point? I feel like making a whole second book defeated the point of what we actually got.
I'll definitely read it again once it's published just to get a clean copy and see if something has changed but yeah.....could've been one book!
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
June 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ | 4.5/5 stars
Thank you to Montlake for providing me with an e-ARC via NetGalley.
Darkened Dawn is a fantastic conclusion to E. J. Mellow’s duology and one that delivers on the promise of the first book in every way. With kingdoms on the brink of war, political unrest simmering beneath every interaction, and gods seemingly ready to tip the scales, the stakes felt higher than ever from the very first page.
One of my favourite things about this series has always been the worldbuilding. The tensions between the Volari, Süra, and Mütra are explored in even greater depth here, and I loved how the story tackled themes of identity, prejudice, power, and belonging without ever losing momentum. The political intrigue kept me invested throughout, and there were several moments where I genuinely had no idea how everything was going to come together.
Tanwen and Zolya continued to be the heart of the story for me. Their relationship felt authentic, emotional, and hard-earned, especially with everything stacked against them. The forbidden romance never overshadowed the larger plot, but instead strengthened it, making every choice and sacrifice carry even more weight.
As a finale, Darkened Dawn does exactly what I want from the last book in a series. It expands the world, raises the stakes, delivers emotional payoffs, and provides satisfying conclusions for the characters we’ve grown attached to. There were moments of heartbreak, hope, and triumph, and by the end I felt genuinely satisfied with where everyone’s journeys landed.
The pacing occasionally slowed during some of the political discussions, which is the only reason this wasn’t a full five-star read for me, but overall I was completely invested from beginning to end.
If you enjoyed the first book, this conclusion absolutely delivers. A compelling blend of fantasy, romance, political intrigue, and divine intervention, Darkened Dawn wraps up the duology in a way that feels both epic and emotionally rewarding.
Thank you to Montlake for providing me with an e-ARC via NetGalley.
Darkened Dawn is a fantastic conclusion to E. J. Mellow’s duology and one that delivers on the promise of the first book in every way. With kingdoms on the brink of war, political unrest simmering beneath every interaction, and gods seemingly ready to tip the scales, the stakes felt higher than ever from the very first page.
One of my favourite things about this series has always been the worldbuilding. The tensions between the Volari, Süra, and Mütra are explored in even greater depth here, and I loved how the story tackled themes of identity, prejudice, power, and belonging without ever losing momentum. The political intrigue kept me invested throughout, and there were several moments where I genuinely had no idea how everything was going to come together.
Tanwen and Zolya continued to be the heart of the story for me. Their relationship felt authentic, emotional, and hard-earned, especially with everything stacked against them. The forbidden romance never overshadowed the larger plot, but instead strengthened it, making every choice and sacrifice carry even more weight.
As a finale, Darkened Dawn does exactly what I want from the last book in a series. It expands the world, raises the stakes, delivers emotional payoffs, and provides satisfying conclusions for the characters we’ve grown attached to. There were moments of heartbreak, hope, and triumph, and by the end I felt genuinely satisfied with where everyone’s journeys landed.
The pacing occasionally slowed during some of the political discussions, which is the only reason this wasn’t a full five-star read for me, but overall I was completely invested from beginning to end.
If you enjoyed the first book, this conclusion absolutely delivers. A compelling blend of fantasy, romance, political intrigue, and divine intervention, Darkened Dawn wraps up the duology in a way that feels both epic and emotionally rewarding.
May 23, 2026
Darkened Dawn by E.J. Mellow was a strong and emotional conclusion to the Way of Wings duology, and overall I really enjoyed both the story and the audiobook experience.
One thing E.J. Mellow continues to do so well is atmosphere. The world feels rich and layered, and I loved the tension between the Volari, Süra, and Mütra as the kingdom teetered on the edge of war. Tanwen and Zolya’s relationship was still one of my favorite parts of the story. Their forbidden bond carried a lot of emotional weight, especially with everything stacked against them politically and socially.
The audiobook narration also made this such an immersive experience. The performances brought a lot of emotion to the characters and helped pull me even deeper into the story.
That said, my biggest issue was that this book was much shorter than book one, and because of that, some of the political plotlines felt underdeveloped. There were so many interesting conflicts and tensions that I wanted more time spent exploring them, especially as the story moved toward its conclusion. I found myself wishing the ending had a little more room to breathe.
Even so, this was still a compelling and satisfying read overall. If you enjoyed book one, I definitely think this is worth picking up, especially for the emotional character moments and the beautiful writing style.
One thing E.J. Mellow continues to do so well is atmosphere. The world feels rich and layered, and I loved the tension between the Volari, Süra, and Mütra as the kingdom teetered on the edge of war. Tanwen and Zolya’s relationship was still one of my favorite parts of the story. Their forbidden bond carried a lot of emotional weight, especially with everything stacked against them politically and socially.
The audiobook narration also made this such an immersive experience. The performances brought a lot of emotion to the characters and helped pull me even deeper into the story.
That said, my biggest issue was that this book was much shorter than book one, and because of that, some of the political plotlines felt underdeveloped. There were so many interesting conflicts and tensions that I wanted more time spent exploring them, especially as the story moved toward its conclusion. I found myself wishing the ending had a little more room to breathe.
Even so, this was still a compelling and satisfying read overall. If you enjoyed book one, I definitely think this is worth picking up, especially for the emotional character moments and the beautiful writing style.
May 22, 2026
Romantasy • Forbidden romance • meddling gods •
Ohhh E.J. Mellow!!
You’ve done it again! I loved every minute of Zolya and Tanwen! The yearning! All the emotions of this story, I felt myself.
Love conquers all.
Ohhh E.J. Mellow!!
You’ve done it again! I loved every minute of Zolya and Tanwen! The yearning! All the emotions of this story, I felt myself.
Love conquers all.
May 25, 2026
Just not for me. 2 stars🎧
July 29, 2026
i’m not crying you are
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the conclusion to the Way of Wings duology, and it leans hard into forbidden love, political unrest, rebellion, betrayal, and the general fantasy-romance condition of “everything is on fire, but at least we’re yearning.”
What I really liked about this one (and the first book too if I'm honest) was the scale. It felt bigger, darker, and more emotionally complicated than a simple “will they or won’t they” fantasy romance. The forbidden bond between Tanwen and Zolya has real consequences, which made the romance feel tied to the fate of the world instead of just floating around in its own pretty little angst bubble.
It is a 4-star read for me because I really enjoyed the world, the stakes, and the emotional tension, but there were a few moments where I wanted the story to breathe a little more. There is a lot happening: rebellion, politics, divine reckoning, identity, love, loyalty, family, betrayal. All delicious ingredients, but some of them needed more time to cook.
What worked for me:
- The forbidden romance had serious stakes, not just “our parents would be annoyed” energy.
- The world felt layered, with political tension, rebellion, and social divisions that gave the story more weight.
- The tone felt darker and more epic, which made this feel like a true conclusion instead of a soft little wrap-up with wings.
What didn’t fully work for me:
- There were moments where the pacing felt packed because so many conflicts were happening at once.
- I wanted a little more breathing room between the political drama, romantic tension, and world-ending chaos.
- Some of the bigger fantasy elements felt like they could have used more time on the page.
- As a conclusion, it had a lot to resolve, and I could feel the book working hard to land every piece.
Tropes and vibes:
Forbidden love
“Our love could ruin everything”
Star-crossed lovers
Gods meddling in mortal business
High-stakes fantasy romance
Who should read it:
Read this if you like fantasy romance with big stakes, forbidden bonds, political tension, and characters who are trying to save the world while also being emotionally inconvenient about each other. Darkened Dawn is dramatic, romantic, and full of “this could either heal the world or absolutely wreck it” energy. I had a really good time with it, even when I wanted it to slow down and let me emotionally process.
What I really liked about this one (and the first book too if I'm honest) was the scale. It felt bigger, darker, and more emotionally complicated than a simple “will they or won’t they” fantasy romance. The forbidden bond between Tanwen and Zolya has real consequences, which made the romance feel tied to the fate of the world instead of just floating around in its own pretty little angst bubble.
It is a 4-star read for me because I really enjoyed the world, the stakes, and the emotional tension, but there were a few moments where I wanted the story to breathe a little more. There is a lot happening: rebellion, politics, divine reckoning, identity, love, loyalty, family, betrayal. All delicious ingredients, but some of them needed more time to cook.
What worked for me:
- The forbidden romance had serious stakes, not just “our parents would be annoyed” energy.
- The world felt layered, with political tension, rebellion, and social divisions that gave the story more weight.
- The tone felt darker and more epic, which made this feel like a true conclusion instead of a soft little wrap-up with wings.
What didn’t fully work for me:
- There were moments where the pacing felt packed because so many conflicts were happening at once.
- I wanted a little more breathing room between the political drama, romantic tension, and world-ending chaos.
- Some of the bigger fantasy elements felt like they could have used more time on the page.
- As a conclusion, it had a lot to resolve, and I could feel the book working hard to land every piece.
Tropes and vibes:
Forbidden love
“Our love could ruin everything”
Star-crossed lovers
Gods meddling in mortal business
High-stakes fantasy romance
Who should read it:
Read this if you like fantasy romance with big stakes, forbidden bonds, political tension, and characters who are trying to save the world while also being emotionally inconvenient about each other. Darkened Dawn is dramatic, romantic, and full of “this could either heal the world or absolutely wreck it” energy. I had a really good time with it, even when I wanted it to slow down and let me emotionally process.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A wildflower is a flower or plant that grows, spreads, and blooms in natural, uncultivated areas without human intervention. But here, Tanwen is just that, yet so much more.
Tanwen was always Mütra, an outcast, something banished, something outside of divine control. She is Zolya's wildflower, not only in her mere existence but in the incredible woman she turned out to be.
In the first book, we saw her waver and scared, slowly stepping out from the shadows with the sole purpose of survival not only for herself but for every single piece of her heart. Here, we see her finding *herself*: a soul emerging from the shadows, seeking freedom for her own life as a whole. Because everyone deserves a life where hiding isn't mandatory and where love is celebrated instead of shamed and banished.
Zolya grew as well as a king, as a brother, and most importantly as a man.
Everything has a cost. But are we willing to pay it? That is a question we face daily, whether that sacrifice ranges from an hour of sleep to a life-or-death matter. The scale is always there, no matter how broad it is.
This book, like the first one, did not disappoint in the political and philosophical insight crafted beautifully within it. "Masterpiece" is an unworthy word to describe the world-building, the writing style, the characters, and the simple dilemmas woven in to carry a message. It leans more toward the diplomatic side of life no wars or bloodshed, but rather a combined effort toward peace.
The events unfolding may not be as eventful as a constant war with victims and battles, but despite that, we see the yearning within them beautifully crafted not as simple nagging or dramatization of difficult periods.
I truly enjoyed this book and the journey of each character all of them. The importance of one's community is granted great importance, whether for mortal and deity alike.
I would recommend this for anyone who enjoyed *Six of Crows* and its dynamic planning of events. It may not be an impossible heist come true, but it is rather a reclaiming of freedom that was never granted, and therefore never truly lost.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Happy reading ◉‿◉
Tanwen was always Mütra, an outcast, something banished, something outside of divine control. She is Zolya's wildflower, not only in her mere existence but in the incredible woman she turned out to be.
In the first book, we saw her waver and scared, slowly stepping out from the shadows with the sole purpose of survival not only for herself but for every single piece of her heart. Here, we see her finding *herself*: a soul emerging from the shadows, seeking freedom for her own life as a whole. Because everyone deserves a life where hiding isn't mandatory and where love is celebrated instead of shamed and banished.
Zolya grew as well as a king, as a brother, and most importantly as a man.
Everything has a cost. But are we willing to pay it? That is a question we face daily, whether that sacrifice ranges from an hour of sleep to a life-or-death matter. The scale is always there, no matter how broad it is.
This book, like the first one, did not disappoint in the political and philosophical insight crafted beautifully within it. "Masterpiece" is an unworthy word to describe the world-building, the writing style, the characters, and the simple dilemmas woven in to carry a message. It leans more toward the diplomatic side of life no wars or bloodshed, but rather a combined effort toward peace.
The events unfolding may not be as eventful as a constant war with victims and battles, but despite that, we see the yearning within them beautifully crafted not as simple nagging or dramatization of difficult periods.
I truly enjoyed this book and the journey of each character all of them. The importance of one's community is granted great importance, whether for mortal and deity alike.
I would recommend this for anyone who enjoyed *Six of Crows* and its dynamic planning of events. It may not be an impossible heist come true, but it is rather a reclaiming of freedom that was never granted, and therefore never truly lost.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Happy reading ◉‿◉
July 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️½ (2.5 stars)
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After the ending of the first book, I went into this one expecting an exciting, high stakes conclusion. Unfortunately, it never quite delivered for me.
My biggest issue was that this book didn't feel like it had its own plot. Instead, it felt more like an extended conclusion to the events of the first book. The previous installment ended on such a compelling cliffhanger that I was expecting major conflict and significant consequences, but much of that anticipation never really paid off and was underwhelming.
There were also several storylines that felt like they were building toward something much bigger but ultimately didn't have much impact on the overall story. Certain plot developments seemed to exist more to wrap up individual character arcs than to move the central story forward, which left me wondering why so much time had been spent on them.
I also continued to struggle with the characters. The emotional highs and lows from the first book carried over into this one, but they often felt exhausting rather than impactful. At times, the main female character's reactions felt surprisingly immature given the weight of the situations she was navigating, making it difficult for me to stay invested. I also never fully connected with the main male character in this second book. Considering his age, experience, and position, I expected a greater sense of maturity and complexity, but some of his relationships and decisions didn't feel as believable as I had hoped.
The ending was probably my biggest disappointment. Without spoiling anything, many of the deeply rooted conflicts that had been built up over the two books felt like they were resolved far too easily. After everything the characters had endured, I wanted an ending that felt earned, and this one wrapped everything up a little too neatly for my taste.
I don't regret finishing the series because I did enjoy many aspects of the first book and wanted to see how everything concluded. Unfortunately, this finale didn't live up to the promise of its predecessor. While I know this series will work for some readers, it ultimately wasn't one I'd be likely to recommend.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After the ending of the first book, I went into this one expecting an exciting, high stakes conclusion. Unfortunately, it never quite delivered for me.
My biggest issue was that this book didn't feel like it had its own plot. Instead, it felt more like an extended conclusion to the events of the first book. The previous installment ended on such a compelling cliffhanger that I was expecting major conflict and significant consequences, but much of that anticipation never really paid off and was underwhelming.
There were also several storylines that felt like they were building toward something much bigger but ultimately didn't have much impact on the overall story. Certain plot developments seemed to exist more to wrap up individual character arcs than to move the central story forward, which left me wondering why so much time had been spent on them.
I also continued to struggle with the characters. The emotional highs and lows from the first book carried over into this one, but they often felt exhausting rather than impactful. At times, the main female character's reactions felt surprisingly immature given the weight of the situations she was navigating, making it difficult for me to stay invested. I also never fully connected with the main male character in this second book. Considering his age, experience, and position, I expected a greater sense of maturity and complexity, but some of his relationships and decisions didn't feel as believable as I had hoped.
The ending was probably my biggest disappointment. Without spoiling anything, many of the deeply rooted conflicts that had been built up over the two books felt like they were resolved far too easily. After everything the characters had endured, I wanted an ending that felt earned, and this one wrapped everything up a little too neatly for my taste.
I don't regret finishing the series because I did enjoy many aspects of the first book and wanted to see how everything concluded. Unfortunately, this finale didn't live up to the promise of its predecessor. While I know this series will work for some readers, it ultimately wasn't one I'd be likely to recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Darkened Dawn by E. J. Mellow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Darkened Dawn picks up shortly after the murder of the King. Zolya is now acting King of Cādra, and his mother, Queen Habelle, has returned to help him shoulder the burden of ruling. The story begins with a meeting between the rebel Mütra and the Volari as they attempt to come to an agreement to stop the unrest spreading across the lands.
Tanwen and Zolya have agreed that their relationship must remain a secret, so they present themselves as separate parties during these political meetings. Zolya wants to begin repairing the damage his father caused to the kingdom, but he must proceed carefully. With his sister accused of murdering their father and the Mütra viewed as vile by much of the kingdom, he knows he cannot push too many changes all at once.
This book explores the political turmoil both sides face as they try to strengthen the kingdom and dismantle the injustices left behind by their predecessors. We also see the strain that secrecy and deception place on Tanwen and Zolya’s relationship, as their choices and responsibilities begin to affect one another. Judged by nearly everyone around them, their relationship is continually tested—and the future of the kingdom may depend on whether they succeed or fail.
E. J. Mellow did a great job highlighting the political complexities of society and how deeply rooted beliefs can either strengthen or destroy a kingdom. A major theme throughout the story is the prejudice against the Mütra, who are viewed as unworthy by the Volari without anyone truly questioning why these beliefs exist. Cādra was so committed to these ideas that many people failed to recognize what a tyrant their King had truly been.
Zolya and Tanwen must constantly prove themselves—not only to their families and allies, but to the kingdom and even the Gods themselves. Shouldn’t happiness be enough?
While I personally enjoyed book one a little more, Darkened Dawn was still a satisfying conclusion to the Way of Wings duology.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Darkened Dawn picks up shortly after the murder of the King. Zolya is now acting King of Cādra, and his mother, Queen Habelle, has returned to help him shoulder the burden of ruling. The story begins with a meeting between the rebel Mütra and the Volari as they attempt to come to an agreement to stop the unrest spreading across the lands.
Tanwen and Zolya have agreed that their relationship must remain a secret, so they present themselves as separate parties during these political meetings. Zolya wants to begin repairing the damage his father caused to the kingdom, but he must proceed carefully. With his sister accused of murdering their father and the Mütra viewed as vile by much of the kingdom, he knows he cannot push too many changes all at once.
This book explores the political turmoil both sides face as they try to strengthen the kingdom and dismantle the injustices left behind by their predecessors. We also see the strain that secrecy and deception place on Tanwen and Zolya’s relationship, as their choices and responsibilities begin to affect one another. Judged by nearly everyone around them, their relationship is continually tested—and the future of the kingdom may depend on whether they succeed or fail.
E. J. Mellow did a great job highlighting the political complexities of society and how deeply rooted beliefs can either strengthen or destroy a kingdom. A major theme throughout the story is the prejudice against the Mütra, who are viewed as unworthy by the Volari without anyone truly questioning why these beliefs exist. Cādra was so committed to these ideas that many people failed to recognize what a tyrant their King had truly been.
Zolya and Tanwen must constantly prove themselves—not only to their families and allies, but to the kingdom and even the Gods themselves. Shouldn’t happiness be enough?
While I personally enjoyed book one a little more, Darkened Dawn was still a satisfying conclusion to the Way of Wings duology.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This final book in the duology was so good and satisfying. I flew through it and could not put it down. At every moment I was swept away in the momentum of this book. I had so many emotions while reading it so worried about people finding out about Zoyla and Tanwen and that the Volari were going to do something terrible to the Mutra. I felt like a majority of the time I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if something horrible was going to happen because the tensions were so high in this final installment. Everything we saw in the first book was finally coming to fruition and it could have gone really well or really poorly. I really enjoyed the growth of Zoyla and Tanwen's relationship, I felt like they grew more to be partners in everything and not just lovers. I felt that their relationship was sort of unbalanced in the first book but it really grew and Zoyla made great strides to make it known that there was not power imbalance between them and that he saw them as equals. Their love was so good and pure, I loved every moment of it. The side characters in this book were so good I loved Huw and Azla are hilarious. I love Tanwen's relationship with them and seeing her finally have friends and heal her loneliness that she experienced as a child.
I definitely felt that this series could have been longer, I wish I could have gotten more of happy times between everyone. I felt like everything was constant conflict and I am glad they got their HEA but I yearned to see more happy times between Zoyla and Tanwen especially. Truthfully, as I have already said I would read anything Mellow writes even as simple as her grocery list. She has a way to pull in the reader into her world right away and absorb them into the new world. I cannot wait to see what she create next, every single book she has written thus far has blown me away. Everyone must read this series!!
Thank you EJ Mellow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I definitely felt that this series could have been longer, I wish I could have gotten more of happy times between everyone. I felt like everything was constant conflict and I am glad they got their HEA but I yearned to see more happy times between Zoyla and Tanwen especially. Truthfully, as I have already said I would read anything Mellow writes even as simple as her grocery list. She has a way to pull in the reader into her world right away and absorb them into the new world. I cannot wait to see what she create next, every single book she has written thus far has blown me away. Everyone must read this series!!
Thank you EJ Mellow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 20, 2026
I found book one of this duology so intriguing. I have always loved the story of Icarus, so reading that this duology was based on it immediately pulled me in. Where book one felt action-packed, this one felt like legislation. There was still some action, but there was also so much talking. With the story opening on Zolya still dealing with the ramifications of what took place at the end of the first book, I was hoping there would be more resolution going into this one. Nope. Everything was still moving at a glacial pace.
I LOVE TANWEN! I love how she stepped into her role and did what she thought was right without constantly having to wade through the sludge of obligations and councils that Zolya was saddled with. She is so boss.
Zolya has so many familial obligations that it starts to get wearing. I wanted him to be able to fly away into the sunset with Tanwen and have a happily ever after. Alas, there were politics that needed to be dealt with first. And maybe it is just me, but I did not fully understand the role his mother was trying to fulfill for a good portion of the book. Was she supportive? Was she a naysayer? When her role is finally defined, it was honestly such a relief. Poor Zolya.
I would have loved to see more of the Icarus influence woven into this story. With what I know of the myth, I could make some loose connections, but at times it felt like a stretch. Overall, I did enjoy this duology, though I still question whether it actually needed to be two books. There were definitely parts from both installments that could have been trimmed to make this a stronger standalone. At the same time, stretching it into a trilogy would have dragged things out far too much, so in the end, I am satisfied with it staying a duology.
This was an interesting concept that kept me engaged throughout both books, despite the politics. I enjoyed the world and the characters and would be interested in exploring more of this author’s work in the future.
Thank you to E.J. Mellow, Montlake, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this eBook, which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
I LOVE TANWEN! I love how she stepped into her role and did what she thought was right without constantly having to wade through the sludge of obligations and councils that Zolya was saddled with. She is so boss.
Zolya has so many familial obligations that it starts to get wearing. I wanted him to be able to fly away into the sunset with Tanwen and have a happily ever after. Alas, there were politics that needed to be dealt with first. And maybe it is just me, but I did not fully understand the role his mother was trying to fulfill for a good portion of the book. Was she supportive? Was she a naysayer? When her role is finally defined, it was honestly such a relief. Poor Zolya.
I would have loved to see more of the Icarus influence woven into this story. With what I know of the myth, I could make some loose connections, but at times it felt like a stretch. Overall, I did enjoy this duology, though I still question whether it actually needed to be two books. There were definitely parts from both installments that could have been trimmed to make this a stronger standalone. At the same time, stretching it into a trilogy would have dragged things out far too much, so in the end, I am satisfied with it staying a duology.
This was an interesting concept that kept me engaged throughout both books, despite the politics. I enjoyed the world and the characters and would be interested in exploring more of this author’s work in the future.
Thank you to E.J. Mellow, Montlake, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this eBook, which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a solid romantasy duology. Darkened Dawn starts out right after the events of Scorched Skies and dives right back in to the main conflict between Volari, Süra and the Mütra. It took me a second to kind of get my head around what was happening at first. I probably would have benefited from a more recent reread of Scorched Skies but was able to still enjoy the story and piece together many of the events from the previous book.
Darkened Dawn was a super fast paced story. It felt like there were no slow moments at all. The secrecy and stakes were at an all time high and the plot never let up. The roles Zolya and Tanwen had to play to stay alive were stressful reading about at times but in a good way where you didn’t want them to get caught but you knew things couldn’t just stay easy. I did think the story could have been a bit longer but that is just my preference. I feel like so much happened and wished there had either been a longer epilogue or the story would have addressed a few more characters and what happened after the events of the last few chapters.
I do always enjoy E.J. Mellow’s world building and characters. Tanwen and Zolya are an amazing couple and great main characters. They aren’t just fighting for their love but for the future of Cādra and their friends and family. In this story I feel like the focus is more shifted to their relationship and how they have to hide it but also work together towards peace. They are more established in their love and it’s one of those romances that doesn’t just feel convenient or easy. But it feels like one of those soulmates type love where the characters are just meant for each other despite the challenges.
Overall this was a really good duology and I recommend giving this a read if you’re a fan of forbidden Royal and commoner romance, warring factions, winged princes, and a love that defies the gods.
Huge thank you to E.J. Mellow and her team for the gifted ARC
Darkened Dawn was a super fast paced story. It felt like there were no slow moments at all. The secrecy and stakes were at an all time high and the plot never let up. The roles Zolya and Tanwen had to play to stay alive were stressful reading about at times but in a good way where you didn’t want them to get caught but you knew things couldn’t just stay easy. I did think the story could have been a bit longer but that is just my preference. I feel like so much happened and wished there had either been a longer epilogue or the story would have addressed a few more characters and what happened after the events of the last few chapters.
I do always enjoy E.J. Mellow’s world building and characters. Tanwen and Zolya are an amazing couple and great main characters. They aren’t just fighting for their love but for the future of Cādra and their friends and family. In this story I feel like the focus is more shifted to their relationship and how they have to hide it but also work together towards peace. They are more established in their love and it’s one of those romances that doesn’t just feel convenient or easy. But it feels like one of those soulmates type love where the characters are just meant for each other despite the challenges.
Overall this was a really good duology and I recommend giving this a read if you’re a fan of forbidden Royal and commoner romance, warring factions, winged princes, and a love that defies the gods.
Huge thank you to E.J. Mellow and her team for the gifted ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought this was such a beautiful conclusion to Tanwen and Zolya’s story.
The book picks up with the king still alive, though asleep after being poisoned, and that creates so much tension between Tanwen and Zolya. They are both trying to protect their own people, but they are also fighting for something bigger: a future where the next generations can love who they want without fear. With political turmoil rising and war building between angels and demons, their relationship is tested in every way.
I loved watching Tanwen’s growth in this book. She is not the scared girl from book one anymore. She really comes into herself, and I loved seeing her strength, her courage, and her bond with Loji, her wolf companion. Zolya’s growth was just as strong, especially as he steps into the role of king and has to carry the weight of leadership, loyalty, love, and the kind of future he wants to help create.
We also get to see more of both of their worlds and the suffering their people have endured. Tanwen is standing with the rebellion and fighting for change, while Zolya is trying to shift the deeply rooted beliefs of his people from within. I loved how this added even more depth to the story and made their choices feel so much bigger than just their relationship.
The political intrigue and world building were top tier and so beautifully written. I loved that this book was not constant battle after battle. It felt more like a journey of growth, diplomacy, love, and self discovery, which made the emotional moments hit even harder. We also get to see more of the gods and explore more of Tanwen and Zolya’s relationship, which made the story feel even richer.
Overall, this was the perfect ending to the duology. Emotional, beautifully written, and such a satisfying conclusion for Tanwen and Zolya.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!
The book picks up with the king still alive, though asleep after being poisoned, and that creates so much tension between Tanwen and Zolya. They are both trying to protect their own people, but they are also fighting for something bigger: a future where the next generations can love who they want without fear. With political turmoil rising and war building between angels and demons, their relationship is tested in every way.
I loved watching Tanwen’s growth in this book. She is not the scared girl from book one anymore. She really comes into herself, and I loved seeing her strength, her courage, and her bond with Loji, her wolf companion. Zolya’s growth was just as strong, especially as he steps into the role of king and has to carry the weight of leadership, loyalty, love, and the kind of future he wants to help create.
We also get to see more of both of their worlds and the suffering their people have endured. Tanwen is standing with the rebellion and fighting for change, while Zolya is trying to shift the deeply rooted beliefs of his people from within. I loved how this added even more depth to the story and made their choices feel so much bigger than just their relationship.
The political intrigue and world building were top tier and so beautifully written. I loved that this book was not constant battle after battle. It felt more like a journey of growth, diplomacy, love, and self discovery, which made the emotional moments hit even harder. We also get to see more of the gods and explore more of Tanwen and Zolya’s relationship, which made the story feel even richer.
Overall, this was the perfect ending to the duology. Emotional, beautifully written, and such a satisfying conclusion for Tanwen and Zolya.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!
May 27, 2026
The book was good, but really dragged on for a while.
The action didn't really pick up for most of the book. Also, the MMC and FMC didn't really spend a lot of time together. A lot of we love each other, we are so great, really doesn't work when the characters aren't actually having a relationship and its just instant love, and now nothing can break up their love. The prince treated Tanwen pretty horribly, under the guise of royal duty, including dressing her down before asking for any clarification.
Hew is still my favorite character.
I just felt like there was a lot of lead up for a big KABOOM... and we got a boo.....
The action didn't really pick up for most of the book. Also, the MMC and FMC didn't really spend a lot of time together. A lot of we love each other, we are so great, really doesn't work when the characters aren't actually having a relationship and its just instant love, and now nothing can break up their love. The prince treated Tanwen pretty horribly, under the guise of royal duty, including dressing her down before asking for any clarification.
Hew is still my favorite character.
I just felt like there was a lot of lead up for a big KABOOM... and we got a boo.....
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🪽 I received an advanced copy of this ebook on Netgalley 🪽
If you love fantasy politics, this series really needs to be on your list. (And let's be clear, fantasy politics absolutely echo real world politics!)
After book one's dramatic ending, with Cādra on the cusp of a new era, but not *quite* there, I really thought this second volume would be full of bloodshed. Instead, it's tension, negotiation, and an intellectual chess match between the ruling class and the rebellion.
At the center of that conflict are Zolya and Tanwen, whose illicit love affair is both an embodiment of the world they want to create, and a threat to their ability to bring it about. Both of them have a split allegiance, between the love they bear for one another and their roles in creating this new world. And they both manage, despite some hurt feelings, to understand that it's necessary. Even when it hurts. The fact that they *both* make mistakes, take accountability, and apologize honestly makes their dynamic one of the biggest green flags.
I was lowkey waiting for a particular side character to do something devious, but they didn't. 👀 (I enjoy being wrong, when it comes to predicting plot elements, so this is a win!)
Osko Terz. Yep. Got exactly what he deserved. 🙌
I did not see that ending coming, but I was definitely wondering by about 80% how in the world this was going to truly wrap up! Beautifully. That's how it wraps up.
If you love fantasy politics, this series really needs to be on your list. (And let's be clear, fantasy politics absolutely echo real world politics!)
After book one's dramatic ending, with Cādra on the cusp of a new era, but not *quite* there, I really thought this second volume would be full of bloodshed. Instead, it's tension, negotiation, and an intellectual chess match between the ruling class and the rebellion.
At the center of that conflict are Zolya and Tanwen, whose illicit love affair is both an embodiment of the world they want to create, and a threat to their ability to bring it about. Both of them have a split allegiance, between the love they bear for one another and their roles in creating this new world. And they both manage, despite some hurt feelings, to understand that it's necessary. Even when it hurts. The fact that they *both* make mistakes, take accountability, and apologize honestly makes their dynamic one of the biggest green flags.
I was lowkey waiting for a particular side character to do something devious, but they didn't. 👀 (I enjoy being wrong, when it comes to predicting plot elements, so this is a win!)
Osko Terz. Yep. Got exactly what he deserved. 🙌
I did not see that ending coming, but I was definitely wondering by about 80% how in the world this was going to truly wrap up! Beautifully. That's how it wraps up.
May 20, 2026
Thank you to E.J. Mellow's team for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review!
A beautiful end to a Duology of choosing love and progress amidst prejudice and old ways of hatred - Darkened Dawn brings us all before the gods for judgement.
E.J. always crafts a beautiful story, and Zolya and Tanwen's love is that and then some. A mirror to prejudice so prevalent in today's world - E.J. shows the journey leading with love can take us on in this lovely end to the Way of Wings Duology.
This book, in particular, absolutely shines in those tense moments, and E.J.'s craft elevates the scales of duty and love to a higher level!
The Way of Wings Duology is such a UNIQUE Romantasy too. Much of what's out there today all feels very similar, but this story stands out for what it tackles so beautifully: political intrigue, love being a choice, and what it means to truly fight for it - despite the harrowing implications that can occur.
Please see the quotes I just adored below:
A beautiful end to a Duology of choosing love and progress amidst prejudice and old ways of hatred - Darkened Dawn brings us all before the gods for judgement.
E.J. always crafts a beautiful story, and Zolya and Tanwen's love is that and then some. A mirror to prejudice so prevalent in today's world - E.J. shows the journey leading with love can take us on in this lovely end to the Way of Wings Duology.
This book, in particular, absolutely shines in those tense moments, and E.J.'s craft elevates the scales of duty and love to a higher level!
The Way of Wings Duology is such a UNIQUE Romantasy too. Much of what's out there today all feels very similar, but this story stands out for what it tackles so beautifully: political intrigue, love being a choice, and what it means to truly fight for it - despite the harrowing implications that can occur.
Please see the quotes I just adored below:
May 26, 2026
Rating: 5/5
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
This is the final book in the duology, and it was absolutely amazing. Darkened Dawn is a beautifully immersive fantasy that completely swept me away. E.J. Mellow creates a world filled with danger, emotion, and mystery, and every chapter pulled me deeper into the story.
The atmosphere throughout the book is one of its strongest qualities. There’s a haunting beauty woven into the writing that makes every setting feel vivid without slowing down the pacing. The darker tone adds weight to the story, but it never loses the sense of hope and determination that keeps you invested in the characters and their choices. The balance between emotional moments, political tension, magic, and action was done so well.
What I loved most about this book was how emotionally driven it felt. Beneath the magic, tension, and high stakes is a story about trust, loss, resilience, and finding strength when everything feels uncertain. The characters feel layered and real, carrying emotional scars and complicated motivations that make their journeys incredibly compelling. Their relationships, especially the moments of vulnerability and connection give the story so much heart.
We get to see Zolya and Tanwen navigate their relationship while also trying to unite fractured alliances and prove that together they are stronger than anyone expects. There were moments that had me completely on the edge of my seat, and I loved the twists, turns, and emotional payoff throughout. Watching their determination, love, and goals come together was incredibly satisfying.
I also appreciated how the story steadily builds momentum. The twists and reveals felt meaningful rather than rushed, and several moments genuinely caught me off guard. Even during quieter scenes, there’s an emotional intensity underneath everything that keeps the pages turning.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
This is the final book in the duology, and it was absolutely amazing. Darkened Dawn is a beautifully immersive fantasy that completely swept me away. E.J. Mellow creates a world filled with danger, emotion, and mystery, and every chapter pulled me deeper into the story.
The atmosphere throughout the book is one of its strongest qualities. There’s a haunting beauty woven into the writing that makes every setting feel vivid without slowing down the pacing. The darker tone adds weight to the story, but it never loses the sense of hope and determination that keeps you invested in the characters and their choices. The balance between emotional moments, political tension, magic, and action was done so well.
What I loved most about this book was how emotionally driven it felt. Beneath the magic, tension, and high stakes is a story about trust, loss, resilience, and finding strength when everything feels uncertain. The characters feel layered and real, carrying emotional scars and complicated motivations that make their journeys incredibly compelling. Their relationships, especially the moments of vulnerability and connection give the story so much heart.
We get to see Zolya and Tanwen navigate their relationship while also trying to unite fractured alliances and prove that together they are stronger than anyone expects. There were moments that had me completely on the edge of my seat, and I loved the twists, turns, and emotional payoff throughout. Watching their determination, love, and goals come together was incredibly satisfying.
I also appreciated how the story steadily builds momentum. The twists and reveals felt meaningful rather than rushed, and several moments genuinely caught me off guard. Even during quieter scenes, there’s an emotional intensity underneath everything that keeps the pages turning.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Darkened dawn is the second book in the Way of Wings duology. The book picks up right after the first one, straight into tension, politics and forbidden love.
Compared to scorched skies (book 1) the plot in darkened dawns felt a little slow initially taking a while to get going and then felt like it flew by. That being said it didn't stop this book being a very good read. It wrapped up nicely although my heart was on the edge for a minute there. The intricacy of the world building and fresh setting was very welcome. The themes of forbidden love, political unrest, hope, and rebellion were executed well.
I adore Tanwen and Zolya, their character and relationship development was portrayed well, the yearning, adoration and can't stay away chemistry. The decisions and dilemmas they went through felt high stakes and kept me reading. The narrators, Dominique Salvacion and Andre Santana both did wonderfully portraying Tanwen and Zolya. The emotional expression and tension hit well on audio. I do think the audio enhanced the book for me. I enjoyed the banter, honestly and real emotional reflection from the characters.
This is a part of a wonderful duology that anyone who enjoys fantasy with tension, political unrest, rebellion and in this life and the next love will absolutely adore!
Thank you to E.J. Mellow and Netgalley for the ALC.
Compared to scorched skies (book 1) the plot in darkened dawns felt a little slow initially taking a while to get going and then felt like it flew by. That being said it didn't stop this book being a very good read. It wrapped up nicely although my heart was on the edge for a minute there. The intricacy of the world building and fresh setting was very welcome. The themes of forbidden love, political unrest, hope, and rebellion were executed well.
I adore Tanwen and Zolya, their character and relationship development was portrayed well, the yearning, adoration and can't stay away chemistry. The decisions and dilemmas they went through felt high stakes and kept me reading. The narrators, Dominique Salvacion and Andre Santana both did wonderfully portraying Tanwen and Zolya. The emotional expression and tension hit well on audio. I do think the audio enhanced the book for me. I enjoyed the banter, honestly and real emotional reflection from the characters.
This is a part of a wonderful duology that anyone who enjoys fantasy with tension, political unrest, rebellion and in this life and the next love will absolutely adore!
Thank you to E.J. Mellow and Netgalley for the ALC.
May 20, 2026
Darkened Dawn is the conclusion to the Way of Wings duology and picks up where Scorched Skies left off. It’s beautifully written, has excellent world-building and the best forbidden romance between a royal and a commoner. There’s also multiple POVs and plenty of tension and political unrest.
I loved being back in this world with Tanwen and Zolya. I love them so much.
With his father on his deathbed, Zolya is now King so keeping their relationship a secret is more crucial than ever. The stakes are high and their relationship is tested as he struggles to obtain peace and she fights for her people’s freedom. I loved that instead of tearing them apart, everything they go through only makes their love stronger. The yearning in this was so good and protective Zolya? 🔥
While I'm sad it’s over, this was a fantastic end to the duology. I highly recommend immersive reading because Dominique Salvacion and Andre Santana did a phenomenal job with the narration. Being able to read and listen to this at the same time was wonderful.
If you love romantasy and are looking for a completed series, the Way of Wings duology needs to be on your TBR!
Many thanks to Netgalley, Montlake and Brilliance Publishing for the eARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved being back in this world with Tanwen and Zolya. I love them so much.
With his father on his deathbed, Zolya is now King so keeping their relationship a secret is more crucial than ever. The stakes are high and their relationship is tested as he struggles to obtain peace and she fights for her people’s freedom. I loved that instead of tearing them apart, everything they go through only makes their love stronger. The yearning in this was so good and protective Zolya? 🔥
While I'm sad it’s over, this was a fantastic end to the duology. I highly recommend immersive reading because Dominique Salvacion and Andre Santana did a phenomenal job with the narration. Being able to read and listen to this at the same time was wonderful.
If you love romantasy and are looking for a completed series, the Way of Wings duology needs to be on your TBR!
Many thanks to Netgalley, Montlake and Brilliance Publishing for the eARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
4/5 stars
I love how EJ Mellow weaves her stories. They are always visually appealing and the magic system is always interesting!
I love the tension in this book between Zolya and Tanwen. They can finally be together but there’s this constant question and fear of can they really be together?
I feel like seeing Zolya come into himself in this book was really well done. We got to see the politics side and making sacrifices at what cost. The court pressure and friendship pressure. It was very relatable to believe in something and have a large group disagree. So it was interesting to see how he handled it.
Tanwen really had to grow a lot and I think the author showed that well. There were parts of this story that were painful because you did want her to lash out and take her vengeance. The author did a great job of making the characters feel real.
I loved the backstory of Zolya’s mom and getting to see in her mind. It was such a treat to peek behind the curtain and see a different side of the story.
Overall this wrapped up nice and I enjoyed following Zolya and Tanwen on their adventure. Looking forward to what EJ Mellow creates next!
4/5 stars
I love how EJ Mellow weaves her stories. They are always visually appealing and the magic system is always interesting!
I love the tension in this book between Zolya and Tanwen. They can finally be together but there’s this constant question and fear of can they really be together?
I feel like seeing Zolya come into himself in this book was really well done. We got to see the politics side and making sacrifices at what cost. The court pressure and friendship pressure. It was very relatable to believe in something and have a large group disagree. So it was interesting to see how he handled it.
Tanwen really had to grow a lot and I think the author showed that well. There were parts of this story that were painful because you did want her to lash out and take her vengeance. The author did a great job of making the characters feel real.
I loved the backstory of Zolya’s mom and getting to see in her mind. It was such a treat to peek behind the curtain and see a different side of the story.
Overall this wrapped up nice and I enjoyed following Zolya and Tanwen on their adventure. Looking forward to what EJ Mellow creates next!
August 5, 2026
"Love is your greatest weakness as much as it is your greatest strength. Again and again, I have seen it. Despite what brought them to me, all those who have knelt as you kneel cling to one thing in the end. Love. Love of a person, a place, a cause."
This book really grabbed me at the end. I hate that a majority of the book felt like it could be glossed over, but I think that was just the nature of the book after the fallout of the first. The main conflict of this book being political conflict based on the power vacuum created from the first in this series was greatly explored, but wasn't attention grabbing for me. It felt like I was just hearing the public release notes of the sessions not really being in the discussion.
I think that because of the nature of the secrecy and proximity of the book, the romance also took a back foot. The scenes where the MCs were together were good, but didn't feel like something we could connect to.
However, the end was so interesting. I think that the pseudo-deus-ex-machina was a little cliche when it hadn't really been a major point of the book until then. But I think that the execution of the ripple the gods created was good.
Overall, I think this was a fine book, but I love how it capped out this duology. 2.75/5
This book really grabbed me at the end. I hate that a majority of the book felt like it could be glossed over, but I think that was just the nature of the book after the fallout of the first. The main conflict of this book being political conflict based on the power vacuum created from the first in this series was greatly explored, but wasn't attention grabbing for me. It felt like I was just hearing the public release notes of the sessions not really being in the discussion.
I think that because of the nature of the secrecy and proximity of the book, the romance also took a back foot. The scenes where the MCs were together were good, but didn't feel like something we could connect to.
However, the end was so interesting. I think that the pseudo-deus-ex-machina was a little cliche when it hadn't really been a major point of the book until then. But I think that the execution of the ripple the gods created was good.
Overall, I think this was a fine book, but I love how it capped out this duology. 2.75/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Darkened Dawn is the conclusion to the Way of Wings duology. It picks up just after Scorched Skies, with the two worlds on the brink of change and our MCs trying to bridge them together. This dealt with a lot of heavy topics, including racism, classism, death and grief. I felt that it handled them really well and I appreciated that it wasn’t a source of conflict directly between the two characters. They were always on the same page of supporting each other despite what society dictated, and continued to work together to make the world a better place. It almost felt like a cosy fantasy because of that.
This second book was shorter than the first, and while it didn’t feel rushed or that anything was necessarily missing, I did wish it went a little deeper. Some moments did feel abrupt and could have been worked up to and out of a little more. I liked the multi POVs, with our MCs the main alternating with some others sprinkled in.
This is my honest, voluntary review. I received an advanced copy of this book at no charge via NetGalley and Brilliance Audio. The audiobook was great, I liked both the male and female narrators and their voices for each other.
This second book was shorter than the first, and while it didn’t feel rushed or that anything was necessarily missing, I did wish it went a little deeper. Some moments did feel abrupt and could have been worked up to and out of a little more. I liked the multi POVs, with our MCs the main alternating with some others sprinkled in.
This is my honest, voluntary review. I received an advanced copy of this book at no charge via NetGalley and Brilliance Audio. The audiobook was great, I liked both the male and female narrators and their voices for each other.
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