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This Safe Darkness
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10 copies available
U.S. only
The Hunt was intended to make us an example, not a threat. That changes now.
Thirty-year-old Orelle Bren knows the best way to avoid death is to play by the rules of a society that only values women as wives and wombs. Though it would be nice to reclaim the dream life her ex-husband stole from her, Orelle would gladly settle for a loveless engagement that exempts her from being among the ten unwed, childless women drafted for the annual Hunt.
It’s supposed to be an honor, being selected to leave their underground utopia to eliminate the Sols—humans who’ve been mutated with corrupt magic by exposure to the sun.
But Orelle knows it’s a glorified death sentence, especially for someone who’s already in a daily battle with their own body.
When her desperate attempts at enticement fail and she’s cast above into the fatal world of light, an unexpected ally challenges Orelle to find a new dream of living—and maybe even loving—out of spite.
To do that, there are few lines she won’t cross to uncover the true monsters before becoming one herself, or something even worse: prey.
The first book in a duology that follows a disabled woman fighting to live—and love—out of spite in the deadly world of light after her eviction from the underground haven. A weaponized lottery system, corrupt utopia, and slow-burn romantic sub-plot that’ll have you squealing over a simple wrist touch make this the perfect read for fans of The Hunger Games, Blood Over Bright Haven, and Gild.
May the shadows guide you.
Thirty-year-old Orelle Bren knows the best way to avoid death is to play by the rules of a society that only values women as wives and wombs. Though it would be nice to reclaim the dream life her ex-husband stole from her, Orelle would gladly settle for a loveless engagement that exempts her from being among the ten unwed, childless women drafted for the annual Hunt.
It’s supposed to be an honor, being selected to leave their underground utopia to eliminate the Sols—humans who’ve been mutated with corrupt magic by exposure to the sun.
But Orelle knows it’s a glorified death sentence, especially for someone who’s already in a daily battle with their own body.
When her desperate attempts at enticement fail and she’s cast above into the fatal world of light, an unexpected ally challenges Orelle to find a new dream of living—and maybe even loving—out of spite.
To do that, there are few lines she won’t cross to uncover the true monsters before becoming one herself, or something even worse: prey.
The first book in a duology that follows a disabled woman fighting to live—and love—out of spite in the deadly world of light after her eviction from the underground haven. A weaponized lottery system, corrupt utopia, and slow-burn romantic sub-plot that’ll have you squealing over a simple wrist touch make this the perfect read for fans of The Hunger Games, Blood Over Bright Haven, and Gild.
May the shadows guide you.
Hardcover
Expected publication February 17, 2026
4296 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Maragold
1 book89 followersAlexis Maragold is a disabled fantasy author who’s learned the hard way that life doesn’t have to be painless to be full. She hopes to offer readers an indulgent, unputdownable escape while illuminating the layered realities of those with invisible disabilities. When she’s not playing mastermind with her pen, Alexis can be found making a fool of herself on Instagram, dabbling in just about every art form, dusting off her design skills, or searching for portals in the pines around her Raleigh, NC home.
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February 5, 2026An underground dystopian society. Corrupt magic and a deadly hunt? Not to mention the FMC is in her 30's. Yes yes sign me up!
December 10, 2025
Holy. Debut.
I sat down and read this book in less than two days (sleeping got in the way).
In full transparency besides one other series I haven't read dystopian influenced books. After this that may change for me. Alexis has created a world where she blends this genre seamlessly with magic and a bit of romance. I was fully immersed in it by the end of the first chapter.
To start, our FMC Orelle is living in the underground city of Caligo. Due to a heartbreaking divorce, Orelle has dropped from the most valued of citizens in Caligo to the lowest. This is because the society is based upon the premise that the sole purpose of a woman is to marry and have children (talk about creating some femininen rage over here!).
"Without a husband or child, you have no direct stakes in Caligo's future; no one you love who'll outlive you, who'll feel the lasting impact of every choice you make."
Luckily, after the divorce Orelle has created a found family of her own with twin sisters named Gem and Taurance (Taur). I adore these women so much. They are funny, loving and beyond dedicated to one another.
As I mentioned earlier, Orelle is neither wed or a mother and therefore eligble for what's called "The Hunt". This is when 10 women who are in the same situation are selected to go up to the surface and face the sun and it's dangers.
Their mission is to fight monsters who are a threat to the city called "Sols". The people of Caligo have been taught that Sols are humans who have become a deadly threat because they are touched by the sun and become mindless, disfigured killers. I'd like to underline that yet again NO MEN are selected for the hunt because of their high value to society.
Prior to the hunt, Orelle has an unusual meeting with a man we later find out is named Kalden (woo wee team! He is peak MMC and I cannot wait to get to know him even further) and he quickly becomes a significant figure in her life.
Ultimately, Orelle is indeed selected for the hunt and the story unfolds from there...
_______
The first thing I'd like to point out is that as a woman in her 30's (and despite loving all our 20 year-old strong FMC's out there) it was so refreshing that we had a lead that was closer to my age.
Orelle's journey is one of heartbreak, courage and hope. The frustration and anger she felt at various times was so palpable it jumped off the page and left you reeling. Her growth throughout the story made me both hurt for her and yet at other points I was incredibly proud. Each day she is becoming the woman she knows she's meant and capable of being.
Also, I know I mentioned how I loved Gem earlier but really she is the epitomy of a best friend. She gives unconditional support and understanding for Orelle but she was also able to dish out the tough love when it was needed (I did audibly say YES GIRL during one conversation).
Kalden is the classic brooding mysterious MMC we all love to love. He has secrets but does all he can to empower Orelle to fight despite her hesitations and concerns. He continuously tries to drive home to her the importance of her self-worth.
I'm not going to dig into the antagonist too much but know they are the type who are just blatantly infuriating, degrading and the real monster at the heart of it all.
________
This was a five star read for me due to a number of reasons.
One of the biggest being that Alexis created a world fundamentally based on the unjust, oppressed, belittled value of women in society. This is unfortunately nothing new in our own history and I believe anytime a book highlights this it's incredibly important (and creates all the emotions).
Second, is the action when the hunt starts! Once it gets going, WOW it gets going. I was fully holding my breath at some parts (was there anxety? absolutely).
Third, as I've described are the relationships Orelle forms with others and also with herself. There are obviously more than those i've mentioned and all of them contribute to her arc in important ways.
I CLEARLY could go on and on but this novel deserves all the praise. I'm very excited for it's formal release and to be enjoyed by all!
Thank you Alexis and team for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I sat down and read this book in less than two days (sleeping got in the way).
In full transparency besides one other series I haven't read dystopian influenced books. After this that may change for me. Alexis has created a world where she blends this genre seamlessly with magic and a bit of romance. I was fully immersed in it by the end of the first chapter.
To start, our FMC Orelle is living in the underground city of Caligo. Due to a heartbreaking divorce, Orelle has dropped from the most valued of citizens in Caligo to the lowest. This is because the society is based upon the premise that the sole purpose of a woman is to marry and have children (talk about creating some femininen rage over here!).
"Without a husband or child, you have no direct stakes in Caligo's future; no one you love who'll outlive you, who'll feel the lasting impact of every choice you make."
Luckily, after the divorce Orelle has created a found family of her own with twin sisters named Gem and Taurance (Taur). I adore these women so much. They are funny, loving and beyond dedicated to one another.
As I mentioned earlier, Orelle is neither wed or a mother and therefore eligble for what's called "The Hunt". This is when 10 women who are in the same situation are selected to go up to the surface and face the sun and it's dangers.
Their mission is to fight monsters who are a threat to the city called "Sols". The people of Caligo have been taught that Sols are humans who have become a deadly threat because they are touched by the sun and become mindless, disfigured killers. I'd like to underline that yet again NO MEN are selected for the hunt because of their high value to society.
Prior to the hunt, Orelle has an unusual meeting with a man we later find out is named Kalden (woo wee team! He is peak MMC and I cannot wait to get to know him even further) and he quickly becomes a significant figure in her life.
Ultimately, Orelle is indeed selected for the hunt and the story unfolds from there...
_______
The first thing I'd like to point out is that as a woman in her 30's (and despite loving all our 20 year-old strong FMC's out there) it was so refreshing that we had a lead that was closer to my age.
Orelle's journey is one of heartbreak, courage and hope. The frustration and anger she felt at various times was so palpable it jumped off the page and left you reeling. Her growth throughout the story made me both hurt for her and yet at other points I was incredibly proud. Each day she is becoming the woman she knows she's meant and capable of being.
Also, I know I mentioned how I loved Gem earlier but really she is the epitomy of a best friend. She gives unconditional support and understanding for Orelle but she was also able to dish out the tough love when it was needed (I did audibly say YES GIRL during one conversation).
Kalden is the classic brooding mysterious MMC we all love to love. He has secrets but does all he can to empower Orelle to fight despite her hesitations and concerns. He continuously tries to drive home to her the importance of her self-worth.
I'm not going to dig into the antagonist too much but know they are the type who are just blatantly infuriating, degrading and the real monster at the heart of it all.
________
This was a five star read for me due to a number of reasons.
One of the biggest being that Alexis created a world fundamentally based on the unjust, oppressed, belittled value of women in society. This is unfortunately nothing new in our own history and I believe anytime a book highlights this it's incredibly important (and creates all the emotions).
Second, is the action when the hunt starts! Once it gets going, WOW it gets going. I was fully holding my breath at some parts (was there anxety? absolutely).
Third, as I've described are the relationships Orelle forms with others and also with herself. There are obviously more than those i've mentioned and all of them contribute to her arc in important ways.
I CLEARLY could go on and on but this novel deserves all the praise. I'm very excited for it's formal release and to be enjoyed by all!
Thank you Alexis and team for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2026
Holy debut authors Batman! Three back to back debut fantasy authors knocking it out of the PARK! Alexis Maragold, you are a star! Not only do we have disability and neurodivergent rep, but we have a trial, magic and a mysterious stranger. Hi hello. I am your new best friend.
This is a story about being told you are less than, held down, made to fight for a meager space and being told you should be grateful. This is what happens when you turn and bite the hands that feed you and ask why can’t I have more? Why am I not more worthy? This is about fighting back and fighting for more. This is about finding yourself whole when the world says you aren’t. This is a phenomenal debut author in Alexis Maragold, and I am HOOKED on this story! I love the concept, I love the execution, and I love the representation. (The ankle rolls, hello my twin with weak ankles.) I literally can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Get a copy for yourself Feb 17 and see if it doesn’t become a favorite for you, too!
Gigundous thank you to The Nerd Fam and Alexis Maragold for the gifted eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a story about being told you are less than, held down, made to fight for a meager space and being told you should be grateful. This is what happens when you turn and bite the hands that feed you and ask why can’t I have more? Why am I not more worthy? This is about fighting back and fighting for more. This is about finding yourself whole when the world says you aren’t. This is a phenomenal debut author in Alexis Maragold, and I am HOOKED on this story! I love the concept, I love the execution, and I love the representation. (The ankle rolls, hello my twin with weak ankles.) I literally can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Get a copy for yourself Feb 17 and see if it doesn’t become a favorite for you, too!
Gigundous thank you to The Nerd Fam and Alexis Maragold for the gifted eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy
Thank you The Nerd Fam and Alexis for the aARC!
It was a delightful dystopian read.
Just imagine society that tries to avoid the Sun at any cost, because it turns you into a monster. So people are forced to live underground, in the shadows. But despite all of this, there is a caste division within cosiety. If you are unmarried woman without kids – oh dear, just hope you won't be chosen for The Hunt. Yeah, because youare concodered the least "valuable" part of society.
The Hunt itself is such a.....well, here you might see similarities to The Hunger Games. A few.Once a year. 10 women are chosen to kill the monsters and prove their worth. However, these woman are completely unprepared, which means a certain death. And everyone knew it.
I love the premise so much. If feels like a good, well-known dystopian story: the good, the evil; the monsters and those who are not; the villain and a hero; the friendship and love.I just know you will like it as much as I did.
p.s. closed doors, only kisses.
Here are some quotes
"I want to yo choose yourself, to priorotize your survival over anyone else's and be truly selfish for once. But I don't think you will"
"But I think there's a bigger part of you that believes your existence won't matter until you do enough, be enough, sacrifice enough for a man"
"I vow to you, Orelle Bren, that you are not become a monster"
It was a delightful dystopian read.
Just imagine society that tries to avoid the Sun at any cost, because it turns you into a monster. So people are forced to live underground, in the shadows. But despite all of this, there is a caste division within cosiety. If you are unmarried woman without kids – oh dear, just hope you won't be chosen for The Hunt. Yeah, because youare concodered the least "valuable" part of society.
The Hunt itself is such a.....well, here you might see similarities to The Hunger Games. A few.Once a year. 10 women are chosen to kill the monsters and prove their worth. However, these woman are completely unprepared, which means a certain death. And everyone knew it.
I love the premise so much. If feels like a good, well-known dystopian story: the good, the evil; the monsters and those who are not; the villain and a hero; the friendship and love.I just know you will like it as much as I did.
p.s. closed doors, only kisses.
Here are some quotes
"I want to yo choose yourself, to priorotize your survival over anyone else's and be truly selfish for once. But I don't think you will"
"But I think there's a bigger part of you that believes your existence won't matter until you do enough, be enough, sacrifice enough for a man"
"I vow to you, Orelle Bren, that you are not become a monster"
Want to read
February 10, 2026Hmm I'm not mad about the subtle return of dystopian settings
January 19, 2026
⭐️: 4.3/5
🌶️: 🫑 (steam, no spice)
RTC!
🌶️: 🫑 (steam, no spice)
RTC!
January 3, 2026
I swear 2026 is going to be the year of Dystopian books because so many good ones have come out recently, and this is no different!
Humans have been living underground for centuries as they fear the sun, and what it will do to them. If they are even exposed for a second they will lose their humanity, and turn into a Sol. You don't have much freedoms if you aren't an able bodied man, and each year 10 women from the lowest tiers of society are selected for a Hunt to go outside during the daylight and kill Sol's to "help everyone be able to return to the surface one day".
Orelle went from one of the top tiers married to the Chancellor's son Gabe, to the lowest tier after he divorced her 2 years into the marriage because she hadn't given him a child. Fast forward to present day, it's 10 years after the divorce and Orelle has created her own found family with two other girls that are in the Third Tier. They all are dreading this years hunt, so when their escape plans are thwarted, they have to face the music. Both Orelle and her friend Gem are sent to go out on the Hunt, but not before the handsome stranger Kalden volunteers to go with them as well. They all set out on a mission to hunt down Sol's, but both Kalden, and now Orelle have secrets they are keeping from the rest of the group.
This was such a great debut novel! I love that the characters are all older than the normal "20 somethings" I see so often in books. I was sucked in right for the start of this book, and if it wasn't for work I would have finished in 24 hours. Watching Orelle come into her own, and finally believing that she is more than just a "feeder" was heartwarming. The friendship between Orelle and Gem is something I wish for all of my friends - the fierce and unapologetic love, and wanting to be together even if it means they won't make it back.
The ending was perfect, and I can't wait to get my hands on book 2. Also if no one hates Gabe, then I must be dead. He is SUCH an ass, and I hope he gets what he deserves in book 2.
Humans have been living underground for centuries as they fear the sun, and what it will do to them. If they are even exposed for a second they will lose their humanity, and turn into a Sol. You don't have much freedoms if you aren't an able bodied man, and each year 10 women from the lowest tiers of society are selected for a Hunt to go outside during the daylight and kill Sol's to "help everyone be able to return to the surface one day".
Orelle went from one of the top tiers married to the Chancellor's son Gabe, to the lowest tier after he divorced her 2 years into the marriage because she hadn't given him a child. Fast forward to present day, it's 10 years after the divorce and Orelle has created her own found family with two other girls that are in the Third Tier. They all are dreading this years hunt, so when their escape plans are thwarted, they have to face the music. Both Orelle and her friend Gem are sent to go out on the Hunt, but not before the handsome stranger Kalden volunteers to go with them as well. They all set out on a mission to hunt down Sol's, but both Kalden, and now Orelle have secrets they are keeping from the rest of the group.
This was such a great debut novel! I love that the characters are all older than the normal "20 somethings" I see so often in books. I was sucked in right for the start of this book, and if it wasn't for work I would have finished in 24 hours. Watching Orelle come into her own, and finally believing that she is more than just a "feeder" was heartwarming. The friendship between Orelle and Gem is something I wish for all of my friends - the fierce and unapologetic love, and wanting to be together even if it means they won't make it back.
The ending was perfect, and I can't wait to get my hands on book 2. Also if no one hates Gabe, then I must be dead. He is SUCH an ass, and I hope he gets what he deserves in book 2.
December 22, 2025
I have conflicting feelings about this one.
It started off very interesting and different. I liked learning about the tiers between the people, the Sols, and how they fear the sun. The FMC was an alright character, but I wasn’t super connected to her. The MMC was mysterious at first, but I feel like everything was revealed so quickly with him.
I’ve never read The Hunger Games or Divergent, but I’ve seen the movies. I had several moments of movie scenes pop into my head while reading this book. It’s not many times, but I was picturing certain scenes being just like scenes from those movies. Now this book does have its own unique magic and plot, I’m just not sure I’m invested enough to continue.
The romance was also weird to me, it had zero build up between our main characters. They met once, seen each other again, then all of sudden were feeling things for eachother without knowing anything about the other. It was giving insta-lovey which I hate. The characters are supposed to be older, but it was reading to me like YA. 🤷🏼♀️ Also, her ex-husband trying to get back together with her after ten years was really strange and felt like it was thrown in there just to make it seem like a love triangle for no reason.
I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but it wasn’t mind-blowing by any means. I rate it 3 ⭐️.
It started off very interesting and different. I liked learning about the tiers between the people, the Sols, and how they fear the sun. The FMC was an alright character, but I wasn’t super connected to her. The MMC was mysterious at first, but I feel like everything was revealed so quickly with him.
I’ve never read The Hunger Games or Divergent, but I’ve seen the movies. I had several moments of movie scenes pop into my head while reading this book. It’s not many times, but I was picturing certain scenes being just like scenes from those movies. Now this book does have its own unique magic and plot, I’m just not sure I’m invested enough to continue.
The romance was also weird to me, it had zero build up between our main characters. They met once, seen each other again, then all of sudden were feeling things for eachother without knowing anything about the other. It was giving insta-lovey which I hate. The characters are supposed to be older, but it was reading to me like YA. 🤷🏼♀️ Also, her ex-husband trying to get back together with her after ten years was really strange and felt like it was thrown in there just to make it seem like a love triangle for no reason.
I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but it wasn’t mind-blowing by any means. I rate it 3 ⭐️.
December 10, 2025
This book was EVERYTHING! I loved reading about an older (30 is not that old) female main character and getting to explore a fantasy world through the eyes of someone who experienced pain loss and heartache before the first page of the book.
Orielle was everything you could want in a fmc and more, she is smart, determined, and has a lot of grit. I loved that she dealt with chronic pain because I don’t think it shows up enough in books. And it was cool to see how she navigated it while also fighting monsters and proving to her friends she’s not fragile
All this to say, I loved it loved it loved it!
Thanks to the author for the ARC!
Orielle was everything you could want in a fmc and more, she is smart, determined, and has a lot of grit. I loved that she dealt with chronic pain because I don’t think it shows up enough in books. And it was cool to see how she navigated it while also fighting monsters and proving to her friends she’s not fragile
All this to say, I loved it loved it loved it!
Thanks to the author for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Rating- 5 stars
(E-ARC)
Many thanks to the author for letting me have an E-ARC of this book 🫶
Okay I haven't been able to think or pick up any other book after reading this. This was a fabulous debut novel and I can see this being a huge hit in 2026 when it does release.
This was unique and so different from many books out there. It has disability representation which completely sold me from the very beginning. I went through so many different emotions and different plot twists I couldn't keep up. At one point I thought there was a love triangle and actually felt sorry for Gabe. You heard me right until he yeah we will not go there.
It was a easy read filled with short chapters that kept you wanting more. I raced through this novel and when I got to the 75% mark I could have happily read another 300+ pages. I had so many unanswered questions but in the next book I am sure that these will be explained. I am just really impatient for the next book now 😂
But the highlight for me in this book was the disability representation. The main female character who is a FMC in her 30's and suffers with chronic migraines and hypopituitarism. The representation was brilliant and honestly I am glad to see authors finally making spaces for disabled characters in fantasy. The authors note at the start hit me straight off- She wanted to write a epic fantasy centered around a disabled woman who learns she is whole exactly as she is 👏
As a disabled woman myself, I thank the author for giving people like myself the opportunity to see themselves in books and making a space for them to still shine ✨️ Thank you to the author for including us 🫶
(E-ARC)
Many thanks to the author for letting me have an E-ARC of this book 🫶
Okay I haven't been able to think or pick up any other book after reading this. This was a fabulous debut novel and I can see this being a huge hit in 2026 when it does release.
This was unique and so different from many books out there. It has disability representation which completely sold me from the very beginning. I went through so many different emotions and different plot twists I couldn't keep up. At one point I thought there was a love triangle and actually felt sorry for Gabe. You heard me right until he yeah we will not go there.
It was a easy read filled with short chapters that kept you wanting more. I raced through this novel and when I got to the 75% mark I could have happily read another 300+ pages. I had so many unanswered questions but in the next book I am sure that these will be explained. I am just really impatient for the next book now 😂
But the highlight for me in this book was the disability representation. The main female character who is a FMC in her 30's and suffers with chronic migraines and hypopituitarism. The representation was brilliant and honestly I am glad to see authors finally making spaces for disabled characters in fantasy. The authors note at the start hit me straight off- She wanted to write a epic fantasy centered around a disabled woman who learns she is whole exactly as she is 👏
As a disabled woman myself, I thank the author for giving people like myself the opportunity to see themselves in books and making a space for them to still shine ✨️ Thank you to the author for including us 🫶
February 10, 2026
This Safe Darkness by Alexis Maragold book one of the Sols & Shades series
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars
We all know I love a good dystopian tale. I think this is a great debut novel for the author and I will never complain about this genre. In my opinion, they pulled this genre off better than author’s that already have a whole backlist of novels published.
We follow our FMC, Orelle who lives in the underground city of Caligo. Citizens statuses are ranked by tiers. The top tier are “the cream of the crop,” the people believed to be the most important and necessary, the ones that contribute the most to Caligo’s continued prosperity. Tier three, the lowest, is for citizens (primarily women,) that contribute the least to the overall success of Caligo.
Orelle flourished in tier one as she was married to the Chancellor’s son (next in line to rule Caligo.) Orelle wasn’t outright nasty or cruel to anyone BUT she was ignorant to the way the other tiers were treated and devalued.
Until— she was tossed into tier three and had to live among the “dregs” of Caligo. It is there that Orelle’s blinders are lifted. But it is also where she meets and forges her own family with twin sisters, Gem and Taur. Being in tier three means she joins everyone that the city looks down upon. The majority of this tier are women. Women who aren’t married nor engaged and women that are infertile. Caligo’s society is oppressive to women. (Go figure!). Men are the most valued, the smartest, the strongest and only keep women who can birth children to carry on their blood lines and be productive citizens.
Every year ten women are chosen from a lottery of women that are of age AND in tier three to participate in The Hunt. (Hunger Games vibe, any one?) Each year that you avoid being called up leaves your name to be entered more often in the draw. These women are released above ground where the world is inhabited by monstrous Sol’s. (Former humans who’ve been touched by the sun and transformed into hungry, zombie like creatures.) They are told it’s an honor to die for Caligo so that its citizens may one day return above ground to the light.
Orelle has been trying for years to find a way out of the pool of names. She’s been lucky and her name hasn’t been called-
Until she wasn’t.
Her last minute plan for escape is foiled and she ends up in the current year Hunt with her best friend Gem, eight other women and a man (for the first time ever!) who volunteered himself. (Orelle has met him exactly one time.). Kalden takes this group under his wing when they are left to themselves with rudimentary weapons and zero training. Can Kalden help them stay alive above ground?
So, the world building was excellent. It was easy to imagine what Caligo looked like and how its tiers operated. Having sunlight destroy your humanity and turn you into a Sol was a unique take on how this dystopian underground world was erected. Real world struggles are explored in this story, the oppression and diminishing of women and the “invisible” disability representation, for example. (Both important discussion points.) I especially liked the found family vibe with Orelle, Gem and Taur. There are support characters the author absolutely made me despise. (As intended.) The action scenes are done well, build up and tension of the battles were just right. I liked the character development of Orelle and I appreciated Kalden and his brooding ways. This was an all around great read.
The reason I deducted one star is because the attempt at a love triangle failed, for me. Kalden lost his mysteriousness when all of his secrets were dumped on me at once AND I couldn’t buy into the instalove/instalust between Orelle and Kalden. I mean, I’m all for them to end up together. Eventually. Not when they’ve met only twice and not by the end of the book one.
However, the way this book ended was superb and I will definitely make myself available for the second installment of the series.
Thank you to the NerdFam and the author for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Expected publish date: February 17, 2026.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars
We all know I love a good dystopian tale. I think this is a great debut novel for the author and I will never complain about this genre. In my opinion, they pulled this genre off better than author’s that already have a whole backlist of novels published.
We follow our FMC, Orelle who lives in the underground city of Caligo. Citizens statuses are ranked by tiers. The top tier are “the cream of the crop,” the people believed to be the most important and necessary, the ones that contribute the most to Caligo’s continued prosperity. Tier three, the lowest, is for citizens (primarily women,) that contribute the least to the overall success of Caligo.
Orelle flourished in tier one as she was married to the Chancellor’s son (next in line to rule Caligo.) Orelle wasn’t outright nasty or cruel to anyone BUT she was ignorant to the way the other tiers were treated and devalued.
Until— she was tossed into tier three and had to live among the “dregs” of Caligo. It is there that Orelle’s blinders are lifted. But it is also where she meets and forges her own family with twin sisters, Gem and Taur. Being in tier three means she joins everyone that the city looks down upon. The majority of this tier are women. Women who aren’t married nor engaged and women that are infertile. Caligo’s society is oppressive to women. (Go figure!). Men are the most valued, the smartest, the strongest and only keep women who can birth children to carry on their blood lines and be productive citizens.
Every year ten women are chosen from a lottery of women that are of age AND in tier three to participate in The Hunt. (Hunger Games vibe, any one?) Each year that you avoid being called up leaves your name to be entered more often in the draw. These women are released above ground where the world is inhabited by monstrous Sol’s. (Former humans who’ve been touched by the sun and transformed into hungry, zombie like creatures.) They are told it’s an honor to die for Caligo so that its citizens may one day return above ground to the light.
Orelle has been trying for years to find a way out of the pool of names. She’s been lucky and her name hasn’t been called-
Until she wasn’t.
Her last minute plan for escape is foiled and she ends up in the current year Hunt with her best friend Gem, eight other women and a man (for the first time ever!) who volunteered himself. (Orelle has met him exactly one time.). Kalden takes this group under his wing when they are left to themselves with rudimentary weapons and zero training. Can Kalden help them stay alive above ground?
So, the world building was excellent. It was easy to imagine what Caligo looked like and how its tiers operated. Having sunlight destroy your humanity and turn you into a Sol was a unique take on how this dystopian underground world was erected. Real world struggles are explored in this story, the oppression and diminishing of women and the “invisible” disability representation, for example. (Both important discussion points.) I especially liked the found family vibe with Orelle, Gem and Taur. There are support characters the author absolutely made me despise. (As intended.) The action scenes are done well, build up and tension of the battles were just right. I liked the character development of Orelle and I appreciated Kalden and his brooding ways. This was an all around great read.
The reason I deducted one star is because the attempt at a love triangle failed, for me. Kalden lost his mysteriousness when all of his secrets were dumped on me at once AND I couldn’t buy into the instalove/instalust between Orelle and Kalden. I mean, I’m all for them to end up together. Eventually. Not when they’ve met only twice and not by the end of the book one.
However, the way this book ended was superb and I will definitely make myself available for the second installment of the series.
Thank you to the NerdFam and the author for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Expected publish date: February 17, 2026.
December 15, 2025
This Safe Darkness by Alexis Maragold is a powerful, character-driven story that immediately stood out to me for its depth, maturity, and originality.
Orelle is an older FMC (30) who is a divorcee, infertile, and living with a physical disability—representation that feels rare and incredibly well handled. She has endured significant trauma, yet she remains emotionally mature, rational, and grounded in common sense. Where she falls short, she recognizes it and takes ownership of her mistakes. That level of self-awareness made her feel deeply real.
What I appreciated most is that Orelle isn’t bitter or hateful. She’s angry—and rightfully so—but she doesn’t let that anger consume her. In fact, she repeatedly shows compassion and even helps those who have hurt her, which speaks volumes about her strength of character.
The writing itself is excellent. The prose is clean and purposeful, never bogged down by excessive detail or unnecessary exposition. The worldbuilding is especially impressive—original, unique, and intriguing without ever feeling overwhelming. This is a story where the concept feels fresh and thoughtfully executed.
The romance takes a clear backseat to the plot and to Orelle’s personal journey, which I truly appreciated. Despite her physical limitations, she continuously pushes herself forward, refusing to succumb to self-pity. As someone who shares that same mentality, I found her resilience incredibly inspiring. She is a survivor in every sense of the word.
My only critique lies in the romantic development between Orelle and Kalden. Their connection felt rushed, particularly given how little time they actually spend together. While the attraction and chemistry made sense, I would have loved a bit more emotional buildup before their first kiss, which felt slightly out of place in the sequence of events.
Even so, This Safe Darkness is a highly recommended read. I’m deeply invested in Orelle’s journey and can’t wait to see how her story concludes in the second and final book of this duology.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
Orelle is an older FMC (30) who is a divorcee, infertile, and living with a physical disability—representation that feels rare and incredibly well handled. She has endured significant trauma, yet she remains emotionally mature, rational, and grounded in common sense. Where she falls short, she recognizes it and takes ownership of her mistakes. That level of self-awareness made her feel deeply real.
What I appreciated most is that Orelle isn’t bitter or hateful. She’s angry—and rightfully so—but she doesn’t let that anger consume her. In fact, she repeatedly shows compassion and even helps those who have hurt her, which speaks volumes about her strength of character.
The writing itself is excellent. The prose is clean and purposeful, never bogged down by excessive detail or unnecessary exposition. The worldbuilding is especially impressive—original, unique, and intriguing without ever feeling overwhelming. This is a story where the concept feels fresh and thoughtfully executed.
The romance takes a clear backseat to the plot and to Orelle’s personal journey, which I truly appreciated. Despite her physical limitations, she continuously pushes herself forward, refusing to succumb to self-pity. As someone who shares that same mentality, I found her resilience incredibly inspiring. She is a survivor in every sense of the word.
My only critique lies in the romantic development between Orelle and Kalden. Their connection felt rushed, particularly given how little time they actually spend together. While the attraction and chemistry made sense, I would have loved a bit more emotional buildup before their first kiss, which felt slightly out of place in the sequence of events.
Even so, This Safe Darkness is a highly recommended read. I’m deeply invested in Orelle’s journey and can’t wait to see how her story concludes in the second and final book of this duology.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
December 10, 2025
WOW. What a debut!!!! I read this book in 2 days time. It was such a unique read! I don't think I've read anything like this before.
Seeing a main character like Orelle, was so refreshing! I related to her on so many levels. I think this is one of the best debuts I've ever read!
Such a unique story and world. I loved every part of it!
Seeing a main character like Orelle, was so refreshing! I related to her on so many levels. I think this is one of the best debuts I've ever read!
Such a unique story and world. I loved every part of it!
December 9, 2025
HOLY COW
It took me one and a half days fo finish it, though if work hadn't gotten in the way it would have most likely been just one night. Marvelous writing, catchy story - you won't be able to put it down!!!! It's been years since I got so caught up in a book, LOVE IT!!
It took me one and a half days fo finish it, though if work hadn't gotten in the way it would have most likely been just one night. Marvelous writing, catchy story - you won't be able to put it down!!!! It's been years since I got so caught up in a book, LOVE IT!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Alexis for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this dystopian fantasy and I will be eagerly awaiting the second book. This was a great, fast paced, gripping book to kickstart start 2026.
My only complaint was that I wanted more!
I really enjoyed this dystopian fantasy and I will be eagerly awaiting the second book. This was a great, fast paced, gripping book to kickstart start 2026.
My only complaint was that I wanted more!
January 18, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
this started off really good and i was hooked into the story from the beginning however there just wasn’t enough character development or emotional depth in the second half of the book for me to able to rate this higher. the ending fell flat for me also and didn’t end with any suspense to want to read the second book.
i thought the magic system was so interesting and unique, i just wish there was more explanation about it. i would have loved the book to have been a bit longer to explore this more!
i didnt find myself rooting for any of the characters. the fmc orelle was supposed to have a chronic illness and i love that the author included this as a representation, but this was barely mentioned throughout the book and did nothing for the plot. the mmc was very mysterious in the beginning and i was so intrigued by him but i felt like we found out everything about him too soon.
i did however like the relationship between gem and orelle!!
the romance between the fmc and mmc was rushed and there was no build up, im a hugeeeee slow burn lover so this sadly missed the mark for me.
thank you to the nerd fam and the author for the eARC!
this started off really good and i was hooked into the story from the beginning however there just wasn’t enough character development or emotional depth in the second half of the book for me to able to rate this higher. the ending fell flat for me also and didn’t end with any suspense to want to read the second book.
i thought the magic system was so interesting and unique, i just wish there was more explanation about it. i would have loved the book to have been a bit longer to explore this more!
i didnt find myself rooting for any of the characters. the fmc orelle was supposed to have a chronic illness and i love that the author included this as a representation, but this was barely mentioned throughout the book and did nothing for the plot. the mmc was very mysterious in the beginning and i was so intrigued by him but i felt like we found out everything about him too soon.
i did however like the relationship between gem and orelle!!
the romance between the fmc and mmc was rushed and there was no build up, im a hugeeeee slow burn lover so this sadly missed the mark for me.
thank you to the nerd fam and the author for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Alexis!! This was an utterly masterpiece of a dystopian book! I've read a few of those in my life, none of witch had an fmc of 30 years old, with chronic pain and limitations that naturally comes with having such a condition in real life! Such a breath of fresh air!
I really commend you for doing it and writing her in a beautiful, strong, determined and resiliant way!
When I read this sentence:
"I'm not ready to feel - not when feeling is accompanied by ceaseless pain"
I was full of emotions, because I understand that. I understand the feeling of not wanting to wake up, because waking up means feeling pain.. And sometimes we really just want a break.. But we also get up and get through it, wich you portray beautifully!
Orelle lives as a rat, bottom-shelfer, a feeder or a tier three resident in Caligo. She could not get pregnant and became divorced and cast aside to the bottom level. Every year is "the hunt" wich ten women from tier three, obviously, is picked to go be soldiers and fight Sols. Sols are non human and thrives in the sun, and that's why the humans lives underground in the shadows where they are safe.
When Orelle is chosen for the hunt the mysterious Kalden comes with them, helps them learn to fight before they're released into the world.
Orelles discovered the sun was not bad and that the Sols were not mindless creatures that could not speak, feel or reason. Her worldview shifts and everything she thought she knew is false.
And like a good dystopian book there' s rules and restrictions, like cameras on their helmets, a sensor that desides when they can take the helmets off to eat is pretty damn controlling and that's even when they're outside on the hunt!
The divide in how you get less and worse food depending on how your fertility is, your marriage status and so on. It is actually not as far fetch in different places in the world. And I think that is brilliantly weaved into this story.
And that ending though!! I feel like there's going to happen some really exciting stuff in book two! Wich Alexis, I would like to get asap🤣
This review is given after I received an ARC from the author. As a fellow chronic pain person, if you yourself are struggling with it, a few things in this is written in a way that really hits the feelings. I loved it!!
I really commend you for doing it and writing her in a beautiful, strong, determined and resiliant way!
When I read this sentence:
"I'm not ready to feel - not when feeling is accompanied by ceaseless pain"
I was full of emotions, because I understand that. I understand the feeling of not wanting to wake up, because waking up means feeling pain.. And sometimes we really just want a break.. But we also get up and get through it, wich you portray beautifully!
Orelle lives as a rat, bottom-shelfer, a feeder or a tier three resident in Caligo. She could not get pregnant and became divorced and cast aside to the bottom level. Every year is "the hunt" wich ten women from tier three, obviously, is picked to go be soldiers and fight Sols. Sols are non human and thrives in the sun, and that's why the humans lives underground in the shadows where they are safe.
When Orelle is chosen for the hunt the mysterious Kalden comes with them, helps them learn to fight before they're released into the world.
Orelles discovered the sun was not bad and that the Sols were not mindless creatures that could not speak, feel or reason. Her worldview shifts and everything she thought she knew is false.
And like a good dystopian book there' s rules and restrictions, like cameras on their helmets, a sensor that desides when they can take the helmets off to eat is pretty damn controlling and that's even when they're outside on the hunt!
The divide in how you get less and worse food depending on how your fertility is, your marriage status and so on. It is actually not as far fetch in different places in the world. And I think that is brilliantly weaved into this story.
And that ending though!! I feel like there's going to happen some really exciting stuff in book two! Wich Alexis, I would like to get asap🤣
This review is given after I received an ARC from the author. As a fellow chronic pain person, if you yourself are struggling with it, a few things in this is written in a way that really hits the feelings. I loved it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an incredible way to make a debut!
This book captures something special. As soon as I finished it, I found myself reading through it a second time just so it wouldn't end. But I have to say, the second read through was even better than the first. The author leaves hints that build a whole new experience when you understand the world and motivations of each character.
Questions I had during the first read through are clear after the second like: what was in the train? I bet I know now. And why is Kalden teaching the Huntresses to run instead of fight? He has his own motives that become clear without the author having to spell it out.
The author's writing style is clear and beautiful. The story is constantly moving forward, whether it be through Orelle's relationship or the march into the sunlit aboveground world.
The most intriguing part for me is the clear social commentary that is so intelligently presented. The city of Caligo considers unwed, childless women as the lowest tier of society. By their 18th birthday, they are expected to marry and have children, or be punished for not following societal traditions. The author shows the dichotomy between the women who want to follow the traditions and those who don't in a fair and balanced manner (Gem and Orelle). By the end, the author makes it clear that neither manner of living is worse than the other, and the system that takes away a woman's ability to choose her path is the true enemy.
This book had so many layers, humor, action, and romance that it is an absolute 5 star read.
This book captures something special. As soon as I finished it, I found myself reading through it a second time just so it wouldn't end. But I have to say, the second read through was even better than the first. The author leaves hints that build a whole new experience when you understand the world and motivations of each character.
Questions I had during the first read through are clear after the second like: what was in the train? I bet I know now. And why is Kalden teaching the Huntresses to run instead of fight? He has his own motives that become clear without the author having to spell it out.
The author's writing style is clear and beautiful. The story is constantly moving forward, whether it be through Orelle's relationship or the march into the sunlit aboveground world.
The most intriguing part for me is the clear social commentary that is so intelligently presented. The city of Caligo considers unwed, childless women as the lowest tier of society. By their 18th birthday, they are expected to marry and have children, or be punished for not following societal traditions. The author shows the dichotomy between the women who want to follow the traditions and those who don't in a fair and balanced manner (Gem and Orelle). By the end, the author makes it clear that neither manner of living is worse than the other, and the system that takes away a woman's ability to choose her path is the true enemy.
This book had so many layers, humor, action, and romance that it is an absolute 5 star read.
December 20, 2025
I devoured this book and could barely put my kindle down for the few days it took me to read it. This is a dystopian fantasy with a heavy dose of feminine rage and I was HERE FOR IT! Our FMC, Orelle, lives in the city of Caligo where society is broken down into 3 tiers. Unwed women with no children are Tier 3s, the lowest of society. Caligo considers them as “those who contribute least to society”.
In their world, exposure to the sun causes humans to become charred, taloned, monstrous creatures who are stripped of their humanity and feed off the humanity of the living. The people of Caligo have adapted by living inside a protected city made of Nightstone, which protects from the sun AND the creatures.
Every year, 10 women from Tier 3 are selected to be the “Huntresses” for the annual Hunt, in which the “lucky” women selected are given armor and 36 hours to prepare before they’re thrown outside the city for the purpose of hunting down and killing the creatures. Orelle and her best friend are selected for the Hunt and tossed out into the unknown with 7 other women and 1 mysterious man who was the first ever “volunteer” for the Hunt.. suspicious? Heroic? Delicious?!? All of the above? YES.
The selection for the Hunt does have some Hunger Games vibes to it, but overall this story was wildly fresh and different from anything I’ve read before, and I ate it up! I’m already on the edge of my seat for book 2!!
In their world, exposure to the sun causes humans to become charred, taloned, monstrous creatures who are stripped of their humanity and feed off the humanity of the living. The people of Caligo have adapted by living inside a protected city made of Nightstone, which protects from the sun AND the creatures.
Every year, 10 women from Tier 3 are selected to be the “Huntresses” for the annual Hunt, in which the “lucky” women selected are given armor and 36 hours to prepare before they’re thrown outside the city for the purpose of hunting down and killing the creatures. Orelle and her best friend are selected for the Hunt and tossed out into the unknown with 7 other women and 1 mysterious man who was the first ever “volunteer” for the Hunt.. suspicious? Heroic? Delicious?!? All of the above? YES.
The selection for the Hunt does have some Hunger Games vibes to it, but overall this story was wildly fresh and different from anything I’ve read before, and I ate it up! I’m already on the edge of my seat for book 2!!
January 20, 2026
This book started off strong, and has an interesting concept. It was described as a romantic dystopian fantasy that’s Hunger Games meets Handmaidens Tale, and while I can see that, it fell a little flat. The world was interesting, and the author did a great job at giving you the information/world building without it being overwhelming and throwing it at you. The FMCs illness representation was also done very well.
In this world they live underground, because the suns rays essentially turn them into Sols after too much exposure. Every woman in this society after they come of age if they aren’t engaged, pregnant, or married, is entered into the hunt where they choose 10 to go to the surface to fight the Sols. However, they’re offered very minimal training, and it seems to be more for entertainment. Our FMC Orelle had the perfect life, living in tier 1 with her husband, until he divorced her after 2 years because she was infertile, now Orelle is living in tier 3 and basically a woman who is deemed to not be contributing to society.
While I appreciated that we had an FMC over 30, the story read very YA, with some cringe moments. The romance was not believable for me and very insta love/ insta lust. She met this man one time and now I’m supposed to believe they have all these feeling for each other? Then her ex- husband who she hasn’t spoken to in 10 years shows up saying he’s still in love with her, it almost seems thrown in just to create some tension and a love triangle. The magic system sounded so interesting as well being based on circadian rhythm, but it took a good majority of the book to even see it or have it explained.
Overall, this book was interesting, and if you don’t mind the romance being insta love this may be for you. Thank you so much to the Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review.
In this world they live underground, because the suns rays essentially turn them into Sols after too much exposure. Every woman in this society after they come of age if they aren’t engaged, pregnant, or married, is entered into the hunt where they choose 10 to go to the surface to fight the Sols. However, they’re offered very minimal training, and it seems to be more for entertainment. Our FMC Orelle had the perfect life, living in tier 1 with her husband, until he divorced her after 2 years because she was infertile, now Orelle is living in tier 3 and basically a woman who is deemed to not be contributing to society.
While I appreciated that we had an FMC over 30, the story read very YA, with some cringe moments. The romance was not believable for me and very insta love/ insta lust. She met this man one time and now I’m supposed to believe they have all these feeling for each other? Then her ex- husband who she hasn’t spoken to in 10 years shows up saying he’s still in love with her, it almost seems thrown in just to create some tension and a love triangle. The magic system sounded so interesting as well being based on circadian rhythm, but it took a good majority of the book to even see it or have it explained.
Overall, this book was interesting, and if you don’t mind the romance being insta love this may be for you. Thank you so much to the Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to The Nerd Fam for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.
Into the Darkness
‘This Safe Darkness’ by Alexis Marigold is a dark and emotionally charged story that leans heavily on atmosphere and psychological tension rather than fast-paced action. From the very beginning, there is a constant sense of unease, driven by inner conflict, trauma, and the boundaries people are willing or forced to cross.
The writing style is accessible and easy to read, yet it doesn’t shy away from raw emotions. Much of the story focuses on the characters’ internal struggles, which adds depth but also means that the pacing can feel uneven at times. The plot often takes a back seat to introspection, which won’t work for everyone.
For a large part of the book, the similarities to ‘The Hunger Games’ are hard to ignore. The setup, the dynamics between characters, and the way survival is framed feel very familiar. At one point, this resemblance became so strong that the story risked losing its own identity, and if it had continued down that path, this would have been a three-star read for me.
Thankfully, the story takes a different turn. That shift gives the book more originality and emotional impact, allowing it to step out of the shadow of its inspiration. From that moment on, the narrative gains strength and feels more confident in its own voice.
The characters aren’t always likable and their choices can be frustrating, but that discomfort feels intentional. ‘This Safe Darkness’ is anything but safe, and it slowly pulls the reader into a place where fear, vulnerability, and survival blur together. It is a story that weighs heavy, unsettles, and refuses to let go long after the final page is turned.
Survival Games | Psychological Trauma | Moral Dilemmas | Found Family | Isolation | Power & Control | Inner Demons | Dystopian Elements | Trust Issues | Emotional Darkness
Into the Darkness
‘This Safe Darkness’ by Alexis Marigold is a dark and emotionally charged story that leans heavily on atmosphere and psychological tension rather than fast-paced action. From the very beginning, there is a constant sense of unease, driven by inner conflict, trauma, and the boundaries people are willing or forced to cross.
The writing style is accessible and easy to read, yet it doesn’t shy away from raw emotions. Much of the story focuses on the characters’ internal struggles, which adds depth but also means that the pacing can feel uneven at times. The plot often takes a back seat to introspection, which won’t work for everyone.
For a large part of the book, the similarities to ‘The Hunger Games’ are hard to ignore. The setup, the dynamics between characters, and the way survival is framed feel very familiar. At one point, this resemblance became so strong that the story risked losing its own identity, and if it had continued down that path, this would have been a three-star read for me.
Thankfully, the story takes a different turn. That shift gives the book more originality and emotional impact, allowing it to step out of the shadow of its inspiration. From that moment on, the narrative gains strength and feels more confident in its own voice.
The characters aren’t always likable and their choices can be frustrating, but that discomfort feels intentional. ‘This Safe Darkness’ is anything but safe, and it slowly pulls the reader into a place where fear, vulnerability, and survival blur together. It is a story that weighs heavy, unsettles, and refuses to let go long after the final page is turned.
Survival Games | Psychological Trauma | Moral Dilemmas | Found Family | Isolation | Power & Control | Inner Demons | Dystopian Elements | Trust Issues | Emotional Darkness
December 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. We follow Orelle, a woman living in an underground society where women are only valued as wives and mothers. She is drafted to be in The Hunt and sent above ground into a world of light and monsters that are supposed to kill her.
What made this story hit so hard for me was how deeply I related to Orelle. She’s in her 30s, living with invisible disabilities, constantly underestimated and dismissed by the world around her. Seeing a female main character navigate pain, limitations, and exhaustion, while still finding her strength, felt so validating.
This isn’t just a dystopian fantasy. It’s about reclaiming your worth when society tells you you’re disposable, about finding safety in unexpected places, and about choosing yourself.
What made this story hit so hard for me was how deeply I related to Orelle. She’s in her 30s, living with invisible disabilities, constantly underestimated and dismissed by the world around her. Seeing a female main character navigate pain, limitations, and exhaustion, while still finding her strength, felt so validating.
This isn’t just a dystopian fantasy. It’s about reclaiming your worth when society tells you you’re disposable, about finding safety in unexpected places, and about choosing yourself.
January 26, 2026
This is an excellent debut novel. Absolutely gave me Hunger Games meets Plated Prisoner, dystopian meets fantasy.
There are so many elements to this story that I really enjoyed.
Two of my favorite things were:
1. I loved that the FMC was in her 30’s and had experienced hard life circumstances
2. I loved the disability representation and how it was a part of the character, but not a broken part of her. Just something that was true to her and played into how she interacted with the world, even if it was a little different than how others interacted with the world
This book left me wanting more. The setting is interesting, the characters are primed for fabulous development, and the slow burn is crawling, but I want to see where it goes!
Format: ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️/5
There are so many elements to this story that I really enjoyed.
Two of my favorite things were:
1. I loved that the FMC was in her 30’s and had experienced hard life circumstances
2. I loved the disability representation and how it was a part of the character, but not a broken part of her. Just something that was true to her and played into how she interacted with the world, even if it was a little different than how others interacted with the world
This book left me wanting more. The setting is interesting, the characters are primed for fabulous development, and the slow burn is crawling, but I want to see where it goes!
Format: ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️/5
January 26, 2026
this book was all concept, no execution. it starts off with the ball rolling, fast paced with no room for breathing. the conceal was different than i had ever read before which had me intrigued. however, the more i read, the less i began to enjoy. all the characters were flat or hit every stereotype you could think of. the romance had no build up. for being a slow burn... it was insta-love but no one said anything until 100 pages later (but we all knew). i also found all the twists to be extremely predictable. even though your FMC was over 30, she acted like a child and so did most of the characters. the world and the writing were built like a YA book. it was interesting, but not my cup of tea.
January 23, 2026
3.75/5 stars
Minimal to no spice
I really enjoyed this!
This was a great detour from romantasy and my usual reads.
Dystopian is really having its moment. It’s not as dark as I thought and I some of the world building could’ve been greater to add some depths to the world and the characters. It was an interesting story that could’ve used a bit more danger and life threatening situations.
I liked the FMC - she kind of finds herself at the end of this book and realises she doesn’t have to rely on a man for her self worth.
The romance was nice but did kind of just happen, so while I enjoyed it, their relationship could’ve developed more in the first book.
Will be interested to see where the next book leads.
I received an ARC for this and I’d recommend if you want to your toe into dystopian worlds without it feeling really heavy and political.
Minimal to no spice
I really enjoyed this!
This was a great detour from romantasy and my usual reads.
Dystopian is really having its moment. It’s not as dark as I thought and I some of the world building could’ve been greater to add some depths to the world and the characters. It was an interesting story that could’ve used a bit more danger and life threatening situations.
I liked the FMC - she kind of finds herself at the end of this book and realises she doesn’t have to rely on a man for her self worth.
The romance was nice but did kind of just happen, so while I enjoyed it, their relationship could’ve developed more in the first book.
Will be interested to see where the next book leads.
I received an ARC for this and I’d recommend if you want to your toe into dystopian worlds without it feeling really heavy and political.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Alexis Maragold for the e-ARC! This was an absolutely beautiful debut novel!
When I first saw that the setting for the book was based on the Outer Banks, as an NC girlie, I knew I had to read it! And knowing that set the scene so perfectly!
Orelle (the FMC) is such a badass! As someone who also suffers with debilitating migraines and has to push through, I so appreciate seeing this on the page. As a small bit of backstory- Orelle lives in a settlement under ground. They cannot be exposed to the sun as it turns humans into monsters. If you're married and have children or male- you're safe. If you're female- forget it, 10 will be chosen every year to be sent above ground to fight off the Sols. (monstrous sun exposed humans) In recent memory, only 1 huntress has returned from the hunt.
After 10 years, Orelle is picked as part of the Hunt, along with one of her best friends, Gem.
I absolutely adored all world building in this story, the magic system was SO unique and interesting. I adored the chemistry between the FMC and MMC. I loved seeing Orelle come into her own and her powers. She never lets anything hold her back.
And that ending?!? And the twists??? Gah! I cannot wait to see how this all plays out in the next book!
And y'all, Alexis Maragold is one of the sweetest authors ever! So incredibly kind in messaging with her and if you have a chance, go see her at Brightside Books for her Release Party next month!!!
When I first saw that the setting for the book was based on the Outer Banks, as an NC girlie, I knew I had to read it! And knowing that set the scene so perfectly!
Orelle (the FMC) is such a badass! As someone who also suffers with debilitating migraines and has to push through, I so appreciate seeing this on the page. As a small bit of backstory- Orelle lives in a settlement under ground. They cannot be exposed to the sun as it turns humans into monsters. If you're married and have children or male- you're safe. If you're female- forget it, 10 will be chosen every year to be sent above ground to fight off the Sols. (monstrous sun exposed humans) In recent memory, only 1 huntress has returned from the hunt.
After 10 years, Orelle is picked as part of the Hunt, along with one of her best friends, Gem.
I absolutely adored all world building in this story, the magic system was SO unique and interesting. I adored the chemistry between the FMC and MMC. I loved seeing Orelle come into her own and her powers. She never lets anything hold her back.
And that ending?!? And the twists??? Gah! I cannot wait to see how this all plays out in the next book!
And y'all, Alexis Maragold is one of the sweetest authors ever! So incredibly kind in messaging with her and if you have a chance, go see her at Brightside Books for her Release Party next month!!!
January 27, 2026
a fast-paced, highly readable dystopian novel with an immersive atmosphere, blending the tension of the hunger games with the unsettling tone of the handmaid’s tale. the worldbuilding is vivid and thoughtfully constructed, particularly in its contrasts and original magic system, though some elements feel underexplored. orelle is a compelling, resilient protagonist, but her emotional arc and character development, especially later in the story, lack depth. disability representation is appreciated but not fully integrated into the plot. strong supporting characters and relationships add texture, though the central romance feels rushed rather than a slow burn. the ending is polarizing, delivering a major cliffhanger that sparks interest in the sequel but falls short in emotional payoff. overall, the novel offers a rich premise and atmosphere, though readers may be divided on its character depth, romantic pacing, and resolution.
ty nerdfam for the e-arc!
ty nerdfam for the e-arc!
January 26, 2026
As a debut book this was quite well done.
I love the premise and plot. The story line is intriguing with corrupt leaders, social segregation, good vs. evil, and lies for control all set in a dystopian world.
The characters were diverse and the story was driven by their journey.
I found I wasn’t able to emotionally connect to the characters as much as I would have liked, and did find romance to be somewhat underdeveloped.
The writing was well done, the world building was uncomplicated and easy to follow.
Overall I did enjoy the book and would continue to see what comes next. I do think with an older (30’s), disabled FMC this will definitely appeal to a lot of readers.
Thank you to Alexis Maragold for the ARC copy.
I love the premise and plot. The story line is intriguing with corrupt leaders, social segregation, good vs. evil, and lies for control all set in a dystopian world.
The characters were diverse and the story was driven by their journey.
I found I wasn’t able to emotionally connect to the characters as much as I would have liked, and did find romance to be somewhat underdeveloped.
The writing was well done, the world building was uncomplicated and easy to follow.
Overall I did enjoy the book and would continue to see what comes next. I do think with an older (30’s), disabled FMC this will definitely appeal to a lot of readers.
Thank you to Alexis Maragold for the ARC copy.
January 25, 2026
Thank you Alexis for the opportunity to read this in advance and being selected for an eARC!
I’m actually shocked this was a debut novel as it’s so good. This was described as a sort of combination between Hunger Games and Handmaids Tale and I did feel that similarity at the start, but it quickly went away for me. The world setting and magic was unique without being too complex and I really enjoyed it.
I went through this read quickly but wanted more closure at the end. I can only imagine the follow up to this book and can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Congrats Alexis!
I’m actually shocked this was a debut novel as it’s so good. This was described as a sort of combination between Hunger Games and Handmaids Tale and I did feel that similarity at the start, but it quickly went away for me. The world setting and magic was unique without being too complex and I really enjoyed it.
I went through this read quickly but wanted more closure at the end. I can only imagine the follow up to this book and can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Congrats Alexis!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*I was fortunate to receive this ARC from the author*
This was a fantastic debut novel!
I truly enjoyed this beautifully written fantasy. I really appreciated how descriptive everything was and how immersed you felt into the setting. I also have to point out how much I loved that it was a single pov. Too many books it seems are dual pov without purpose. I prefer being immersed into one character's head and watching the action unfold through their eyes. And because of all the great description, you really got that.
Orelle is our fmc and whose pov we experience the story through. As a heroine, she may be seen as unconventional due to her disability but in actuality, it is a point of strength. I liked how she stayed true to her moral compass no matter what was thrown at her or revealed.
I also came to care for many of the side characters, which usually doesn't happen for me. The author really took her time introducing the key players so that you were invested in each of their outcomes. I don't want to say much about our mmc as I liked learning more about him as it unfolded throughout the story.
My one point of contention and the reason I deducted one star, is that the ending felt a rushed and made things more convenient for our characters.
The first two thirds of the book are very detailed, drawing out the background of the city, meeting our main characters, and getting ready/setting out for the hunt. The final third brings out so much new information/conflict but the same amount of time and description was not given to it. I think if that the book had been longer, there could be more time spent being able to build up to the massive conclusion. Because of this, things felt like they happened a little too conveniently and too fast. I wished there had been more build up.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed this book and I hope that this is not the last time that we see Orelle and the rest of the crew. There is definitely more to explore in this truly well-crafted world!
This was a fantastic debut novel!
I truly enjoyed this beautifully written fantasy. I really appreciated how descriptive everything was and how immersed you felt into the setting. I also have to point out how much I loved that it was a single pov. Too many books it seems are dual pov without purpose. I prefer being immersed into one character's head and watching the action unfold through their eyes. And because of all the great description, you really got that.
Orelle is our fmc and whose pov we experience the story through. As a heroine, she may be seen as unconventional due to her disability but in actuality, it is a point of strength. I liked how she stayed true to her moral compass no matter what was thrown at her or revealed.
I also came to care for many of the side characters, which usually doesn't happen for me. The author really took her time introducing the key players so that you were invested in each of their outcomes. I don't want to say much about our mmc as I liked learning more about him as it unfolded throughout the story.
My one point of contention and the reason I deducted one star, is that the ending felt a rushed and made things more convenient for our characters.
The first two thirds of the book are very detailed, drawing out the background of the city, meeting our main characters, and getting ready/setting out for the hunt. The final third brings out so much new information/conflict but the same amount of time and description was not given to it. I think if that the book had been longer, there could be more time spent being able to build up to the massive conclusion. Because of this, things felt like they happened a little too conveniently and too fast. I wished there had been more build up.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed this book and I hope that this is not the last time that we see Orelle and the rest of the crew. There is definitely more to explore in this truly well-crafted world!
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