Adytum: A Fairy Tale Reimagining

by Amarah Calderini

Long live the Queen of Dreams.

Book two of the Darkly Dreaming Duet.

Blurb coming soon.

467 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Amarah Calderini grew up in the Rocky Mountains, and spent her time imagining magic living in the shadows of the peaks. She writes fantasy imbued with equal parts magic, angst, and steam, featuring strong yet flawed heroines and the fierce-hearted men who love them. When not writing, she can be found soaking up the sun and singing along to the same dramatic songs she’s listened to since high school. She currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband, two children, and their geriatric German Shepherd.

Reviews

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And though my fairy tale was never destined to be one of light, I pray to the second star it serves as a reminder to us all: Creation can only begin in darkness."

Not all fairy tales are made alike, and not all fairy tales have a happy ending. Or do they? Endings come in many forms, and in the end, it is we who choose how our story will end. And, as Willa said, "Creation can only begin in darkness".

Describing the way Adytum and its predecessor, Carrion, break me and unbreak me feels almost sacrilegious. How does one convey such deep and complex emotions that drip from the pages of The Darkly Dreaming Duet? How does one portray all the nuances and subtle lines? And lastly, how does one cope after the story ends?

We cope, and, as Willa and Nico would say, "we endure." Because what else is left to do? We cherish the story, keep it forever close to our hearts and minds, and we live.

Adytum is so much more than a dark Peter Pan retelling with a twist. It is a tale of love, loss, and pain. A tale of endurance and perseverance. It is an ode to self-acceptance and healing. An ode to the best and the worst parts of a person coming together and forming a beautiful chaos. An ode to love in all its many forms and shapes.

Some dreams are meant to be dreamt, and some are meant to be lived. Wendy and Nico get to live theirs now, and I hope we will be able to live ours, too.

Thank you, Amarah, for having me on the team. It's a privilege I will never take lightly.

[Kaylareadsallthetime · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read:
Seven stars! Ifykyk
My heart is complete.
Full review coming soon. For now I need to soak in all that was Adytum.

Okay here is my review rambles:

"I am not their sanctuary, Willa. I am, and always will be, only yours."

I am at a loss for words... me. Who woulda thought. But truly I don't know what I can put into words about all that this book portrayed or what it meant to me. I finished Carrion back in 2024 right after it released. Instantly I was HOOKED. Hooked on the storyline, the characters, all of it. But more importantly on the authors way of writing a story. Telling it in her words. Absolutely breathtaking how Amarah can reimagine a fairytale into something completely its own story, yet, not. It has all the elements we know in love from the story of Peter Pan but such a spin on it that you don't see coming. Anywho I got sidetracked there. I then followed up Carrion by reading her Dark Dystopian series called Dark World Trilogy. Yet again, wow this author can write! Like no other! So then I patiently (*as patient as one can be) waited for the release of the ending to The Darkly Duet, Adytum. Was lucky enough to get an arc this time even, ahhhhhhh, pinch me. Truly how is this my life?! This story and these characters have become part of me. I've read Carrion multiple times now, even listened to the audio at least three times now. Like its engraved in my soul. I mean for goodness sakes I have 3 copies of Carrion alone, lol. And two tattoos already to boot for Niko and Willa. Another will be added in April now... Obviously! I keep getting of track, geez. So yes I fell desperately in love with Letum and ALL that that involves. Adytum has me at an utter loss for words. It was everything and SO MUCH more than I could have ever comprehended. Felt it all. Heartbreak, love, death, just everything. 480 highlights later, it was my Adytum. My heart was on overdrive in the two days that I devoured this book. Could NOT put it down to save my life. This book has so much meaning. So much true heart felt love in it. Its like nothing that can truly be described. What Amarah put on these pages is phenomenal, its beautiful, its tragic, its pure, its EVERYDAMNTHING. I could go into the story and nitpick all that I loved. But you need to have read Carrion first. So I am not gonna do that, I don't wanna ruin anything with spoilers. Instead I'm gonna tell you this is a dark fantasy that must NOT be skipped. Do yourself a huge favor and just read it. Fall in love with the world of Letum. Open your heart to Niko, Willa, Sam (* gahhhhhh Samuel), Adira, Marina, even maybe the Stranded. Maybe.... Just give this world your eyes and trust me it will nab your heartstrings all its own. I forever am grateful to Amarah for giving me these stories. They truly take a piece of me with every word she puts down. Absolute and utter perfection. I'm in awe of her talent and I cannot wait to see what journey she takes me on next. Until then I'll just be wallowing in my tears and feelings that is Adytum. In the words of Adytum: 'Because that's what makes life meaningful - it's eventual end. Life is meaningless without death, just as death is meaningless without life. Both are needed to lead.' I could go on and on with about my love for this book, for the quotes (oh. my. gawd! the quotes.), for the meaning, the spice that is OH SO NICEEEE, and the entirety of it all. But all good things must eventually end. Just know this will be my entire personality for the foreseeable future. TOP read of the year! GO READ IT!

"I will always come back to you. In this life and death. In this universe and the next."

[Jenn | bookdragonbrunette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinite stars. I have 228 highlights.

I am overwhelmed with love for this series. The characters, the story, the message behind it all... it's just perfect.

Willa and Niko are both DEEPLY flawed characters that go through so much growth throughout both of these books. I love them so much. Their strength and resilience, the way they own their weaknesses and struggles. They are the perfect balance for each other. Also, Niko is just everything that any romantasy girlie wants in an MMC. Plus he's got those death ribbons that are kind of like shadows... and boy do they get used in the spice scenes!

We also get another POV and I won't spoil who it is, but I'm so happy that we got to see everything from their perspective what happens with their storyline. Also, I could use SO MUCH MORE in this world following any and every characters. Give me all of them!

The world is so vivid. Gritty and intense. The writing is immensely descriptive for everything and I love the way it all flows.

Read if you love:
-Multi POV
-Growth, healing, acceptance
-Peter Pan retelling
-Burn the world for her MMC
-Death ribbons (and what they do)


Thank you to the author for the eARC. My thoughts are entirely my own.
Finish date: 3/2/26, Release date: 3/3/26

[Erin | the.gremlin.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adytum by indie author Amarah Calderini is the second book and conclusion to The Darkly Dreaming duet — a dark and lyrically written Peter Pan retelling that will have you asking: “what’s the cost”? Because there’s always a price to pay.

Adytum picks up a year after the events of Carrion and offers us an additional POV from our beloved Sam. His beautiful heart and unwavering loyalty were already embedded into the fabric of this story but seeing the world through his eyes just made me love him even more. I am begging for a prequel novella with Niko & Sam’s seafaring adventures and Adira & Sam’s star-crossed beginnings.

In Adytum we see Willa struggle in her battle against the physical manifestation of her inner demons — a shadow that feeds off pain, rage, shame, guilt, fear and regret. My faith in Niko’s intentions never wavered and my heart continuously rallied for our possessive and endearing MMC.

Adytum was a beautiful and satisfying conclusion to a dark and imaginative retelling. I highly recommend fantasy romance fans of found family, trauma & healing, morally grey MCs, and rekindling romance with tension & open door spice read this book!

I can’t wait to see what Amarah dreams up for us next!

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adytum, the unforgettable second book in the Darkly Dreaming duet, is everything I hoped for and more; raw, relentless, and ultimately redemptive.

Told through the three powerful POVs of Willa, Niko, and Sam, this story doesn’t just continue the journey; it deepens it in ways that hurt so good. Each perspective adds layers of tension and emotional complexity, letting us fully experience the fallout, the longing, and the fierce determination that drives this finale.

Willa is absolutely devastating in this installment. She’s drowning in guilt and self-loathing, convinced she doesn’t deserve forgiveness, love, or peace. Her pain feels visceral and real, and watching her wrestle with her demons makes every small step toward healing feel monumental.

And Niko? Utterly relentless. His fight to return and reclaim what is his, no matter the cost, is equal parts heartbreaking and breathtaking. His devotion is fierce, unwavering, and beautifully flawed. He doesn’t just want redemption; he earns it, clawing his way back with grit and sacrifice.

Sam’s POV adds such an essential emotional counterbalance, offering insight, tension, and depth that elevates the entire story.

This book doesn’t hand out comfort easily. The road to the HEA is brutal, messy, and hard-won, but that’s what makes it so incredibly satisfying. When the ending finally arrives, it feels deserved in the deepest sense of the word.

Adytum is dark, emotional, and achingly beautiful; a perfect, powerful conclusion to a journey that will stay with me long after the final page.

Thank you to the author for the ARC ❤️

[Brandihreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Carrion when I read it in December and have been highly anticipating this release. The conclusion was amazing! The character growth, additional POV, and dark twists had me hooked. Willa goes dark in this and is fighting her demons. She was raw and emotional, while Niko’s devotion was unwavering. This Dark Peter Pan retelling is a must read!

I’m a huge fan of this author’s writing and excited to start her Dark World Trilogy soon!

Thank you to the author for an early copy! 🫶🏼

[Toni Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book did not disappoint and held up my expectations from Carrion. Niko is def up there for MMCs in my book. I’m so sad to be done with this duet

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

- 🧚Peter Pan retelling with major twists
- 2️⃣ 2nd book in a duology
- ❤️ HEA
- 🖤multiple POV
- 🥰deeply flawed MCs that grow
- 🥹together = stronger
- ♾️unconditional love

I received an eARC from the author, and this is my honest review.

Overall, this was a 4.5 star read, rounded up to 5 stars! The author is a very poetic, descriptive, feelings based writer and she brought her best to this book. I LOVED the audiobook for book 1, truly one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. The audiobook for book 1 was at the level of Till Death by Miranda Lyn. Now that I have read Adytum, I cannot wait to also buy this book’s audio version.

Moving on! This book picks up approximately one year after book one ended. The MFC was now the anchor to the island and she was suffering from rather severe imposter syndrome. She was very sad and angry by all the things that had happened in her life. Further, she greatly missed the MMC, even though she sent him away. The author dove DEEP into why the MFC banished the MMC, adding more context, nuance, and meaning to the reason. Of course it was not for the simple reason we initially thought at the end of book 1.

Then, as we expected, Pan ended up on the island with the MFC. Quickly, the MFC realized that she banished the MMC to a world with his worst enemy (Pan), and the MMC had no magic to defend himself. The author did an excellent job provoking emotion in the reader. When Pan dropped the MMC‘s gun in front of the MFC and alluded that he had killed the MMC, I could feel the MFC‘s pain.

During all of this, we got POV chapters from the MMC to see what he was doing with his life on the mainland. I really enjoyed these chapters. His exploration of the MFC’s world was something new to the story we had not been given in book 1.

Something I found super powerful from this book was that we were shown how the MCs had lived parallel lives, engaged in the same behaviors, and were experiencing parallel emotions. Both were dealt a crappy set of circumstances and then their love and anger towards each other led to actions they didn’t regret, yet furthered their self-loathing. They really were doing their best. I don’t want to spoil it for you, so I’m staying vague. Because the author demonstrated this you could see why the MC’s needed some time to get it together. They both were sad, angry, lonely, self-loathing, lashing out, and doubting people. This caused them to struggle and stumble back to each other. Their reunion was messy and flawed. They made it through via trial and error, with a dose of patience and forgiveness sprinkled in.

Another aspect of this book I appreciated was how the MC’s friends pushed the MCs to rethink their rigid views. I also loved that the MCs both recognized that, in their self-deprecation, trauma response, and sadness/anger, the missed key information and made assumptions about many things. Trust me, you’ll want to SHAKE the MC’s and beg them to get it together!! Even near the end I was thinking, “seriously Willa!” Of course, when you take into context everyone’s trauma, it makes full sense why they were so messy and insecure, but you still just want them to believe in themselves. The MC’s both grew, substantially by the end, and recognized they made mistakes. They had amazing character development and really needed each other to feel safe enough to be vulnerable in order to grow. 😘 I LOVED when the MMC had a series of apologies for our MFC 😜 😉

Other things I thought were done super well and I really appreciate/loved/enjoyed:

- Normally, I do not enjoy the main POV being about someone who is angry at everybody for everything, all the time. I especially don’t like this when they are angry constantly towards a partner who is not deserving of it or when the author pitches a kind person, but in reality we get a toxic person. However, in this book, 1) both MCs were messy, traumatized people engaging in quite similar behavior. The anger and self-loathing was NOT one sided, they were both fair game. And 2) the author made it quite clear this was about anger and rage, so expect that! What the author told us the book and characters would be about matched the plot and characters, yay!!

- I really loved when the MMC reconnected with Wendy. The relationship between those two was mentioned in book 1, so to see this reunion made me excited. I loved watching them reconnect and the MMC be ruthless towards her to get back to the MFC, this was everything I had wanted. I was a little bummed how quickly Wendy’s storyline ended. I wished there had been a little bit more.

- The plot was thick in this book and secrets just continually were revealed. The pacing was moderate to fast the whole time. I could not put it down! When I got to the event that happened at 49%, I thought, “WHAT TF WAS THAT?!” There was 0% chance I saw that coming. The author did such a great job giving us insight into why that decision was made, so well done!

- This book is great blend of character growth, relationship development, and action scenes.

- ❤️ Sam and Adria’s side love story. I did not know I needed this, but it was perfect and its addition to the book was great.

- The attention to tattoos is not new in books, especially for MMCs. However, this book included the value of tattoos and the storytelling they can hold. I LOVED that tattoos were included with the MFC, and the special meaning behind how they were given.

- The ending was everything we wanted, with a twist on how the antagonist died. Well played!


Two points of information for this book to consider when starting to read it:

1) the themes of the storyline from book 1 are mimicked in book 2. Therefore, the first 70% it can feel at times that you’re reading the first book again. Of course, it was not identical, but the timeline was the same in many ways. We had the MC’s keeping secrets and both had deep self-loathing, the MFC was super angry and lashing out, the MMC was hiding information and doing things his way to achieve the outcome he wanted, there was push and pull between the MC’s, there was an antagonist, and eventually the MCs connect. The side details were different, obviously the relationship between the MC’s had a different lens since they now had history together, and the plot involved Pan alive; yet, the undercurrent felt similar. This wasn’t bad by any means, as the first book was amazing, but just wanting readers to know how much of it is similar to the first book.

2) The thoughts between the three POV’s were similar and repetitive. I perceived that the author was trying to land the point that a) obtaining unconditional and genuine trust is difficult, b) once that trust is established, those trusted can see through all the crap people try to pull, and c) those who see through the crap will challenge people to grow and be better, even when defensive walls are thrown up. Now, I love that this was the point the author was trying to make. However, the MFC, MMC, and Sam all had thoughts about how they were seen and could always be seen by the other person. The thoughts cycled, repetitively for all three around similar content. I started skipping those paragraphs, finding I did not miss anything.

[Ivonne Santiago-Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long live the Queen of dreams

6 ⭐️ , this was everything I didn’t know I wanted in this book and more but if you need convincing let’s dive in …

Adytum is the second book in the darkly dreaming duet by Amarah Calderini . This is a dark fantasy romance retelling of Peter Pan like you’ve never read before . This book starts off one year after the heart breaking cliffhanger that ended Carrion . I won’t dive too deep into that because you can go read my review for Carrion and find out . After reading Carrion last year I truly didn’t think it was possible for it to be topped, but man did Amarah prove me wrong . I dare say book 2 was even better than book 1 .

Our FMC Willa Darling goes dark in this book , I mean dark. Sometimes you have to be a villain to be the hero and my God did we get all the feminine rage she deserved and much more . She isn’t a whinny female character that gets annoying with the same drama . No Willa takes charge and responsibility, shouldering the burden of being the anchor to the island . When Peter returns to claim what he thinks belongs to him she doesn’t back down or run , she fights for what is hers. Long live the queen of dreams!!

Now let’s talk about Niko, because just when I thought that man couldn’t get any hotter he threw that notion out the window . Now if you’ve read book one you know how this man was chefs kiss but book 2 comes out and this man is absolutely feral with I will burn the entire world and every world that comes after down to ashes before I let Willa give up another piece of herself . OMG! That man said I will get on my knees and serve the queen of dreams as the king of death and rot . Long live the King of Carrion!!

Adytum had amazing plot and development of characters coming into their own magic and owning it like they should . There is funny banter between characters . Moments that make you grip your chest and hold your breath. Side characters that make you laugh , awe and tear up . I’d love to get a novella or something for Sam and Tiernan . Their stories were just as impactful in the short bits we get from them . Overall absolute chefs kiss . The only thing I will say negatively , is that Wendy can kick rocks lol

Guys I mean …..

“I would allow the kingdom to be devoured by the sea if it meant Willa was alive and happy. I’d watch the mainland crumble to dust beneath hopelessness. I would bring ruin, and go to my own death with a smile on my face.” -Niko


Who wouldn’t get on their knees for this man lol , I promise you won’t regret reading this duet. So go on get to reading .

[Meg (fantasybook.adventurer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Adytum✨

What an absolutely BREATHTAKING finale this was! Amarah created such a perfect duet that is stuffed full with emotional depth, reflection, hardship, healing, and love that isn’t beautiful because it is perfect, but because it is flawed, selfish, and messy.

In this finale to Amarah’s Darkly Dreaming duet, we begin a year from where we left off after book one’s devastating cliffhanger. The stakes have only gotten higher. The magic has gotten darker. The healing has been fractured. The breadth of love has only gotten more daring and feral. With their worst enemy on the loose, Willa and Niko must face the darkest parts of themselves and learn to accept them or else risk losing everything they’ve ever dreamed of.

Adytum is a dark Pan retelling that covers deep topics on healing, self hatred and acceptance, learning to appreciate what brought you to the blessings you have now, and the facets of unconditional love that reflect truth: its depravity and its purity. I was so amazed throughout this entire series with how poetic, relatable, and moving all of these characters are. I felt seen, empowered, and hopeful because Adytum addresses the ability to embrace your broken pieces and use them to make magic.

Tropes you may find in Adytum are second chance, found family, banter, mental health rep, dark Peter Pan retelling, “I didn’t know where else to go”, 🔥 the world for him/her, groveling, touch him/her and ☠️, tattooed and broody death daddy, multi-POV, medium spice, and a perfect HEA.

Amarah, thank you SO MUCH for allowing me to be an arc reader for this duet. I am so thrilled to read more of your work.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect conclusion to this dark Peter Pan reimagining! It is beautiful, heart wrenching, hopeful, and about embracing all parts of yourself. Through their trauma and pain they have endured, Willa and Niko find their home in each other and together their love is unstoppable! The lengths they will go to for each other and the island is inspiring! I love the portrayals of friendship among the characters and the support they have for one another. The additional POV of Sam added a new layer that gave more depth to the story and since he is my favorite side character, it was a welcome addition!

I highlighted so many parts as the prose is just beautiful! If you looking for a dark Peter Pan retelling with found family, touch her and die, acceptance and healing, wound care, “I have you”, mental health rep, and spice, you need to read this duology!!

Thank you so much to the author for the review copy!

True love is neither of those things. It is holding on when you should let go. It is crawling; it is bleeding. It is gorgeous wreckage and holy sacrifice. It is precious because it hurts; because it is fought for.

“It’s just a reminder that you don’t always have to tear yourself apart. You are worth keeping whole.”

Every beat of my heart sounds hollow without the accompaniment of his.

“I will damn the whole fucking universe to a slow death if it means she lives. Villain or hero makes no difference. I am hers.”

“I am not their sanctuary, Willa. I am, and will always be, only yours.”

He is the anchor that grounds me when I’m lost; no matter his darkness, he is the light that calls me home.

“You are adytum. You are true north. You are home. And no matter the span of stars or the violence of storms, I will always find my way back to you.”

[Summer Seeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long live the Carrion King. Long live the Queen of Dreams.

The story begins a year following the events of Carrion. Willa is riddled with doubts and self-loathing. After everything she had done, she is unsure she deserves forgiveness or the admiration of the people of Letum. Niko is steadfast in his convictions, doing anything to reclaim what is his. The two of them are deeply flawed creatures, fighting themself, each other, and those who threaten the land they call home on their way to an ending that is beautiful, bittersweet, and hard won. Every ounce of happiness well earned.

Adytum is everything I could have hoped for from a sequel to Carrion and more. I don't remember the last time a book ripped my heart out so completely only to stitch it back together piece by devastating piece. This is so much more than a Peter Pan retelling. Niko and Willa's story is raw, messy, and emotionally complex, which makes the redemption that they find in each other all the more compelling.

"I no longer wan to shatter the mirror every time I gaze upon my reflection to see death staring back. The monstrous black of my eyes the sinful obsidian of my veins - it no longer feels like the curse it once did. Because how could I ever loath the very thing that led me to Willa? Death is the only thing worthy of creation, and without it, I could not be hers."

The writing itself is dark, lush, and utterly gripping. Letum comes alive, drags you in, and refuses to let go until the final page. This is a tale that will stay with me long after I've closed the book.

Thank you to the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Gwen Brophy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC. 6 stars. Carrion was one of my favorite reads of 2025, and its sequel is of the same exquisite quality.

I have been a fan of Amarah Calderini since I read her Dark World Trilogy for so many reasons. It starts with the worlds that she builds which are filled with good and evil, light and dark, but where those opposing forces are frequently found in the same person and same place. It's because her characters are never ever simply good or simply bad. They are complex creatures with selfishness and selflessness all bundled up, like actual human beings.

She's never been afraid to have her characters make the wrong choices, or be messy or go into the depths of pain or hell, but in the end, to quote Samwise Gamgee, the sun shines out all the clearer.

Niko and Willa are so unique and so multifaceted. They are perfectly imperfect together. Willa grows into her power and her position as Queen, and Niko is there to challenge her and push her until she steps into that greatness.

We get more Sam in this story (speaking of Samwise Gamgee and the steadfast sidekick who keeps our heroes going when they are close to giving up), and I loved it.

I will read anything this author puts out at this point because I know that I will fall in love with her characters and I will never be able to predict the choices that they will make or the developments of the plot. She is a gem, and I highly recommend her tales!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely NOT ready to let go of Niko and Willa! Alas, now that we have come to the conclusion of the Darkly Dreaming Duet, I must do exactly that.

We start the book with Niko and Willa separated by the circumstances at the end of the previous installment. As the story progresses, we see them both embark on a journey of acceptance and love - of themselves and each other, opening up fully to break and rebuild themselves after centuries of pain and loss. The theme of embracing all the parts of yourself, light and dark, is wrapped in every beautifully crafted sentence as everything unfolds.

Simultaneously, our MC's have to navigate the return of Pan and all the dangers inherent in his quest to destroy Niko and claim Willa for himself. Being a very distant member of Willa's family gives him a deeper level of vileness will have you rooting even harder for his demise. The destruction he brings will break your heart as the book reaches its crescendo.

When all is said and done, the story wraps up in a way that is satisfying - but makes me want to know exactly what new adventures our characters get up to with their futures wide open and ahead of them.

One day may we see them again. Until that time, we're on to the next adventure, "Through the second star to the right, and straight on till morning."

(And if you're wondering, the spicy moments are served hot. I give it a 🌶️🌶️🌶️)

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars! Let me tell you, Peter Pan was definitely not one of my favorite fairytales growing up at all, so when I first heard about Carrion (book one), I was hesitant. I have read a couple of Peter Pan reimaginings and though they were enjoyable, they were also forgettable. This duet right here is anything but forgettable! Amarah did such an incredible job bringing this fairytale to life! I fell in love with book one, but book two was just chef’s kiss! What an imagination to weave this story together and truly make it your own.
The characters, omg, I loved them and am hoping that one day some of the special side characters get stories of their own..even if they are just novellas. I highlighted so many beautiful quotes from this story just so I can go back and reread them again.. Niko is 1000% book husband material and Willa..what a fierce and admirable FMC.
If you want a fantastic fairytale reimagining, please pick up this duet..you won’t regret it!

“My love for you may be a weapon, Willa, but I swear on my rotted soul..it will only ever be a weapon for you, not against you. Whether we are together or apart, alive or dead, I will always hold you in the safety of my heart. No one will ever be able to strike you down or take your power, because no one will ever love you as I do. You’re safe with me. Eternally.”

[Katelynn Seaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willa and Niko’s story continues in Adytum and let me tell you it was the perfect ending. After being in such a reading slump with not the greatest of books Adytum brought me back to life. My poor Willa was so lost in her darkness and in the pain of feeling she was yet again in her life not chosen by the people she loves because she mistook what Niko had said when he arrives back to her. Granted I can see why she misunderstood him including her in what was HIS since how book 1 left off. BUT i LOVED how hard this man worked for her, he never left her side again and proved she was EVERYTHING to him. Niko is most definitely on the top of my book boyfriends list. Thank you so much to the author Amarah Calderini for the opportunity to read this as an arc. I can’t wait see what you come out with next!

[Steph 🫶🏻 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinity (or 7…) stars!!! - ARC review.

The way Amarah has so perfectly and completely reimagined the classic Peter Pan fairytale into something dark, beautiful & gripping says so much about her writing skills!

The witty banter between the MCs is delicious. Niko made me laugh every time he spoke

Carrion was such a hit of 2024 for me I was nervous to see how the sequel would compare but it was so beautifully done and well written i couldn’t be happier.

What a fantastic book - long live the carrion king

[Bethany Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I had hoped and dreamed it would be. It was dark, compelling, and real. One thing I love about Amarah’s writing is that she isn’t afraid to talk about how healing is HARD, and it makes her characters even more real to me as a reader. I couldn’t put this down once I started it, and it’s bittersweet to finally reach the end of this story. This duology will always be a favorite for me! 🖤

[Elizabeth Ginn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Amarah Calderini for the eARC!

Adytum picks up a year after the conclusion of Carrion. We witness Willa’s emotional and physical descent into darkness. Meanwhile, We watch Niko fight and earn his spot back in his heart. Additionally, we experience a few perspectives from the charming Sam. Embracing one’s true self and accepting their darkness were significant themes in this story, and we were privileged to witness them through the journey of multiple characters.

[Tabytha Boozenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have waited somewhat impatiently for this book after the way I loved Carrion! I absolutely and unapologetically LOVE Willa and Niko and their story. If you love fairy tale retellings you NEED this on your shelves. Amarah's writing is beautiful and it ensnares you. She is definitely on my auto buy list.

I'm sad that the story is finished but LOVE the way it ended.

[Claire Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark fairy tale retellings truly have my heart and this one is dark messy and villainous… I cannot stress enough how beautiful this story is. I am so sad this duology is now completed BUT I am confident that there are more amazing things on the horizon from Amarah. I am so grateful to have received an arc of this incredible book!

“Creation can only begin in the darkness.”

[Casey Schutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the most beautiful book I’ve ever read. Amarah’s story telling, imagination, creativity - it all comes together in the best possible way. I felt what the characters felt. I cried tears of joy at the end. Infinite stars.

[MizSnark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Made me wish magic was real…