The Darkest Gift

by Nikki Welton

For 18-year-old Amanda, the magical Academy ball was supposed to be an unforgettable night to celebrate the ending of the school year in Conifer, Colorado. But when she and her boyfriend Eric witness the most gruesome crime committed by the headmaster, they are given a choice: help him open a forbidden portal to the kingdom called Sunshadow from which no one has ever returned, or be his next victims.

Determined to discover the truth, Amanda and Eric enter the portal and follow the headmaster who claims he needs dark magic from Sunshadow to save the Academy from ruin. But, upon arrival, they are betrayed. Eric is hit with the most vicious curse, which leaves him barely alive. To save him, Amanda must reach to the deepest parts of her magic to follow the headmaster to the legendary Palace of Darkness and undo the spell before time runs out.

With the help of a warrior prince and two unicorns who are as dangerous to humans as they are magically powerful, Amanda travels deep into the land of Sunshadow, fighting the dark magic inside her and her growing feelings for the prince. Knowing that every step might be her last, Amanda will have to decide who to trust and how much she is willing to sacrifice in order to save the one she loves and find the way back home.

The Darkest Gift is a dark academia romantasy, perfect for fans of Holly Black and Kerri Maniscalco.

Genres: Fantasy

306 pages, Hardcover

Published February 10, 2026

About the author

IG @nikkiwithbooks

Nikki has a degree in English and a theater background. She studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute in Los Angeles. When she's not writing, she can be found watching movies, reading, playing with her cats and skiing. She is also partial to a cup of herbal tea.

Reviews

[Diamanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, people!
First, let me mention that this book is the first book in the series The Spells of Darkness.
The protagonists of the story are Amanda and Eric.
The world building is wonderful and magical. The plot is full, has suspense and twists.
The author's writing is captivating, enjoyable, enjoyable and fast.

Many thanks to the author and Hidden Hollow Book Tours for the eARC!

This is my honest review!

[Meigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Fast-paced, immersive, and truly whimsical, THE DARKEST GIFT was a fantastic series opener that introduces readers to Amanda and Eric and their epic and dangerous quest. Forced to open a forbidden portal, Eric is now fighting to survive and Amanda is fighting to save not only herself, but him as well. Time is of the essence and it’s running out quickly.

Unique magic combined with an air of danger, Welton masterfully balances whimsy with plenty of darker elements. I really enjoyed the magic system and the adventure, but my favorite aspect hands down is the unicorns that roam this world freely. I also like that Amanda is limited with who she can trust. Most everyone falls under the morally grey umbrella, and that makes for quite the conundrum when one is in need of an ally.

All told, I really enjoyed this debut and look forward to the next one. Pick this up if you’re a fan of the following tropes and elements:

🦄 Unicorn companions
🦄 Elemental magic
🦄 Dark academia
🦄 Murder
🦄 Portal magic
🦄 He falls first
🦄 Warrior prince
🦄 Curses
🦄 Cozy cabin
🦄 Found family


Thanks so much to @rrbooktours and @nikkiwithbooks for having me on the tour and gifting a copy for review!

[Rian Eidson ~ Literary Luna Moth · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, you've heard the infamous phrase from Short Round -
"Okie dokie, Dr. Jones. Hold on to your potatoes!" - and that's the only way I can describe starting this book.

It starts off innocently and then the next thing you know, you’re being pulled through a portal and into a different world.

From there, the action, adventure, twists and turns keep coming. I found myself struggling to put the book down as I kept turning the page to find out what happened next.
I enjoyed the world building, the magic system, characters, pace of the story and the unicorns. Yep, if the cover didn't give it away, there are UNICORNS in the story AND you can ride them!!

This was just such a delightful read that helped me escape into a fantasy world just when I needed it.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The taking of a life forever changes a wizard, and it is this act that catapults Amanda and her boyfriend Eric into a parallel world. From there she will be in a race against time to save his life after he’s attacked by someone they should have been able to trust. Brace yourself for unicorns, unique magic, and weaving drama that works to draw you in with each turn of the page.
The Darkest Gift holds a lot of promise and potential, but for me...it just doesn’t reach it. The beginning kicks things off trying to race us into the depths of what lies ahead. We get the boyfriend with what appears to be only one thing on his mind. Which makes you question...is there a bigger agenda afoot with him? The first few chapters stumble about as the story works to gain it’s footing. Some times it gains it and then others it loses it.
I really wanted more details and more backstory. The story in several places needed to be more fleshed out than it is, so there were moments I wanted to put it down. However, I kept pushing and honestly? I was rewarded for my efforts. The story does gradually improve and worked to draw me in. In the end it left me wondering what was going to happen next.
Is the story perfect? No. Does it have it’s ups and downs? Yes. Would I consider continuing the series? At this time...yes. So, if you’re looking for your next YA/Upper YA novel then this one has some promise.

[Chiara | wordsbychiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the gifted e-ARC. Opinions are my own.

The Darkest Gift is a dark academia fantasy book that follows Amanda. On the night on the Academy ball, she and her boyfriend, Eric, witness their headmaster committing a gruesome crime, and are forced to help him open a portal to the kingdom of Sunshadow to keep their lives. Unfortunately for them, the headmaster betrays them! Eric is hit by a curse and in order to save him, Amanda teams up with a warrior prince and two dangerous unicorns. *enter messy for the protagonist but incredibly juicy for the reader love feelings*

👉 Add The Darkest Gift to your TBR if you love:
- Dark Academia
- Unicorn companions
- Elemental magic
- He falls first
- Love Triangle
- Fantastical worlds
- Quests

Amanda goes on quite the journey to save Eric, full of danger, magic, adventure, and friendships forged along the way. She shows bravery and strength of character, two qualities I enjoy.

The romance acts more as a subplot in this installment, and it's setting up a love triangle that could reserve surprises in the next books. On the one side we have a friends to lovers with Eric, which is one of my favorite tropes, though we don't see much of these two characters together before the curse strikes. On the other there's noble and heroic Matier who is clearly catching feelings for Amanda, but I'll need this relationship to be further developed in order to enjoy it fully.

Rating: 3.5 stars

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Darkest Gift is the first book in a new Dark Academia Fantasy brimming with magic and adventure.

The story follows Amanda who is forced by the headmaster of the Academy to enter a portal to Sunshadow along her boyfriend Eric, who has the ability to open portals. But Eric is hit by a curse, and upon arriving in Sunshadow, Amanda must find the headmaster and the Palace of Darkness to undo the curse on Eric before he is lost forever. To do so, she will have the help of Matier, the prince.

I enjoyed the magic in this book. It was original, and I loved that it exists in both worlds, though Sunshadow is brimming with it. And there are also unicorns! I liked exploring Sunshadow through Amanda, and meeting new characters along her quest to save Eric. As for the romance, there seems to be a setup for a love triangle throughout the series with the love interests being Eric, Amanda’s longtime-friend-turned-lover, and Matier, the prince that helps Amanda in her quest. Usually, if there is a good friends to lovers trope, I tend to side for that. However, in this case I feel like both couples need more time to develop, and I’m curious to see the developments in future books of the series.

Here are some tropes!
Dark Academia
Unicorn companions
Elemental magic
He falls first
Warrior prince
Love Triangle

Rating 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. Opinions are my own.

[Asia Mazewska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore the Darkest Gift. The atmosphere the Author builds, the lively and relatable characters and - of course - Unicorns! 🤩 I definitely want more!!!

[Nadja Petković · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, enchanting journey! Thank you so much, Nikki, for sending me this ARC. I had so much fun reading it, but it also made me quite emotional. I loved wandering Sunshadow so much! ☀️

Warning - spoilers ahead ⚠️

The Darkest Gift is a real portal to the world of ancient magic and characters who stay in your heart long after you finish the book. And since this is the first book in the series - we'll have more of Sunshadow, and I just can't wait!

So, let's talk about my favorite characters first.

Matier, an Energian, was easily my favorite. There is something so precious about how he cares for the forest and every living thing in it. He uses elemental magic, which has always fascinated me. It feels so raw and connected to Mother Earth. He is so kind and witty, you just have to love him! And his Air powers are so cool. I wish I could fly among the clouds with him and Amanda! I'm quite sure I wouldn't feel sick though - I would enjoy the ride with my whole heart - but ohh, I totally get you, Amanda. It's not every day that you fly so high and swift on the wind!

​Then there is Obsidian, the beautiful, strong, black unicorn. He is in such a difficult position - forced to work with the Darkners, trapped in a situation he didn't choose. Yet, his heart remains gold. He cares so deeply for Eric and Amanda. At the very end, he proves his loyalty by helping them escape. He really risked everything to make sure they could find their way back from the Palace of Darkness. 🖤

​I also have to talk about the lovely, gorgeous Howlite. She is so sweet and loyal! In a world that can be so dark and cold, she is a beautiful light, especially to Amanda. And her scent - so precious. I love the idea of calling unicorns to come to you by remembering their scent! Such a unique concept.

​The world-building in this book is so well done. The Palace of Darkness (one of many Palaces in Sunshadow, well, currently four - there were more before) was breathtaking, especially because of the lilacs. They are my favorite flowers. Reading about them blooming in such a dark place was magical... I could literally smell them across the pages. The skies there are permanently enchanted - the clouds never let the sunshine through. It's so moody and atmospheric, I just loved it.

​But my heart really belongs to Matier's forest, the Palace of Dreams and his cabin in the woods. There's a strong winter storm raging outside, while the cabin stays perfectly warm because of Matier's magic. Isn't it just perfect? While I was reading this part, I was just thinking, ohhh how convenient this is! If I could just teleport myself there. That little cabin is literally a dream.

​And now, the magic system! It's so layered. We have:

​Ghosters: Our Amanda is a Ghoster. Ghosters have a deep connection to spirits and the veil. Their magic manifests as smoky and cold, and people are sometimes afraid of it.

​Portalers: Rare and powerful, they are the only ones who can open the portals between worlds.

​Minders: They can cast spells without saying them aloud.

​Truthers: They can see through any lie. But if they lie about it, they'll end up with a bloody mark on their face.

​Invisiblers: They have the ability to vanish from sight.

​Blooders: A darker, more dangerous magic used by the Darkners. It's a transformative power that often requires a heavy sacrifice to achieve.

​Energians: They are naturals, like Matier. They don't cast spells, but they command Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Their connection to the natural world is so deep and pure.
(If I could choose, I would personally be an Energian. 🌲)

​And there is one more thing that really made me stop and think. It's the Palace of Flowers.

It completely fascinated me, and it is described in just one beautiful paragraph. I would give anything to read more about it and see it bloom again in the next books. It was burned to the very last petal... Just because its magic was considered too weak for fighting.

Can you imagine? All that beauty and life, burned down to ashes. A whole Palace. All I could think of is that both Sunshadow and our own real world need beautiful, growing things to make them better places.

​I truly believe that art and the artists, all kinds - writers, musicians, painters, dancers, poets, gardeners, and everyone else - are the ones who make this world a brighter place. Without art, without beauty and flowers and their scents and colors - the world would never be the same.

This book was a true gift. Thank you, Nikki, for creating such a beautiful, enchanting world.

Now I'm waiting to see which Stargazer (soul weapon to help her fight the darkness) will Amanda choose - or better to say, which Stargazer will choose her on her path!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Darkest Gifts is a new entry in the 2026 YA landscape. It balances the velvet-and-stone aesthetic of dark academia with the raw, jagged edges of a high-stakes portal fantasy. The story centers on eighteen-year-old Amanda, a "Ghoster" with the rare ability to bridge the gap between the living and the dead. Amanda is the quintessential reluctant hero. While the Academy sees her as a powerful asset to be molded, she sees herself as a musician who just wants to play her bass. This internal conflict is the heartbeat of the novel.

The narrative tension spikes early when Amanda and her boyfriend, Eric, witness their headmaster committing a brutal murder. This isn't just a school scandal; it’s the catalyst for a desperate escape. When Eric is forced to tear open a portal to a parallel dimension, the story shifts from a campus thriller into a survival odyssey.
Eric is captured for a dark ritual, leaving Amanda alone in a world that is as breathtaking as it is lethal. Her journey through this mirror-realm isn't just a rescue mission; it’s a crash course in her own power. Amanda is desperate as we go through her panic and eventual resolve.

The magic system in The Darkest Gifts is unique. The classification of magic and the mechanics of using it require the reader’s attention, but it is worth it. Welton avoids the usual fantasy tropes by populating her parallel world with creatures that defy expectations. One moment, Amanda is navigating terrifying shadow dimensions; the next, she encounters unicorns. However, these aren't the glittery creatures of fables—they are integrated into the world with a sense of wonder that adds a much-needed layer of whimsy to the grim stakes.

🍵Final Verdict
The Darkest Gifts is a lovely start to a new series. It successfully captures the "reluctant hero" trope while surrounding it with a world that feels expansive. If you are a fan of secret societies, complex magic systems, and stories where the bond of friendship (and love) is tested by evil, this book is for you.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok

A strong start to the series, this is a YA dark fantasy that follows Amanda, a Ghoster with the ability to interact with the dead. After she and her boyfriend Eric witness their headmaster commit murder, they escape through a portal to Sunshadow—where Eric is cursed, leaving Amanda to find a way to save him before it’s too late.

The story quickly shifts from the academy to a fast-paced survival quest in a magical world filled with unique creatures (including unicorns!) and a clear, easy-to-follow magic system. While I would have loved more time in the academy, Sunshadow is immersive and engaging enough to carry the story.

Amanda’s fierce loyalty to Eric can feel frustrating at times, especially since his character—and their chemistry—feels underdeveloped. In contrast, Matier, the prince who helps her, stands out as kind and compelling, setting up a love triangle that I can’t wait to see more of.

At times, the pacing is slowed by heavy description, which made certain sections feel a bit dull. I also would have loved to see more of the unicorns.

Overall, it’s an engaging, fast-moving introduction to the series with a dramatic cliffhanger, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.

‎‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

➳❥ Book 1/ YA Dark Romantasy
➳❥ Elemental & Ghost Magic
➳❥ Love Triangle
➳❥ So Much Yearning
➳❥ Found Family
➳❥ Forced Proximity
➳❥ Underworld

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼

“It’s best to find the path that shines only for you. True happiness lies on your chosen path.”

“You can’t play to your strength unless you fight your weakness first.”

“Magic will answer, no matter how dark the calling.”

"I looked into his eyes then and saw that they were focused on me as if nothing else existed in the world except for this moment.”

[Essentially Bookish Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Nikki Welton for providing an eARC of The Darkest Gift!

The Darkest Gift is a young adult fantasy that blends dark academia elements with portal fantasy. The story follows eighteen-year-old Amanda, a Ghoster—someone with the ability to interact with the dead. While the Academy views her magic as something to be used and controlled, Amanda would rather focus on her music, creating an ongoing tension between personal choice and expectation.

The plot moves quickly when Amanda and her boyfriend, Eric, witness their headmaster commit murder, forcing them to escape through a portal into a parallel world. From there, the story shifts away from the academy setting and into a survival-driven narrative. When Eric is captured for a ritual, Amanda is left to navigate an unfamiliar and often dangerous environment on her own, learning how to rely on her abilities as she goes.

The magic system is clearly defined and easy to follow, with categories that are straightforward and closely tied to their function. While the system does not aim to reinvent familiar concepts, it is consistently applied and plays an important role in both the plot and the worldbuilding. The parallel world itself balances darker elements with moments of wonder, including creatures that are integrated naturally into the setting.

Overall, The Darkest Gift is a solid introduction to a YA fantasy series. It makes use of familiar tropes such as reluctant heroes and secret academies while setting up a larger story to come. Readers who enjoy portal fantasy, clear magical rules, and character-focused YA narratives will definitely find a very enjoyable read.

[Alena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Darkest Gift is the first book in the Spells of Darkness series, a series that blends portals and secret magical realms, unicorns, princes, and secrets. It seems whimsical but is slightly dark; it opens with intensity, when Amanda (our protagonist) and Eric witness their teacher committing a crime and fleeing, Eric opens a portal to Sunshadow, a kingdom which they believed was a legend. Amanda has multiple missions: the first is to save Eric, to find their teacher, and to track down a magical device. 

The magic system is fascinating. Amanda and Eric study at a magic academy, where they specialise in different powers according to their gifts; Amanda’s power is that she can see ghosts, whilst Eric can open portals, and when they arrive in Sunshadow, they discover new magic. 

It has the perfect balance between whimsy and dark scenes. Amanda is smart, brave, and loyal; she doesn’t trust many people, so coming to Sunshadow will be a challenge for her, but she’ll make friends and find allies on her quest. The unicorns were majestic and wonderful companions, and besides the unicorns, she’ll have the help of a prince (with whom she might find herself in a love triangle in the next book). Sunshadow is fantastic, it’s a magical realm with enchanted forests, magical creatures, princes and castles, and some pretty badass residents.

Thank you so much to the author for the free copy. It’s a wonderful debut, a fast-paced story with high stakes, a kick ass protagonist, and action.

[Tralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read THE DARKEST GIFT by Nikki Welton for the review tour hosted by the author and Hidden Hollow Book Tours. Thank you to both for inviting me along and for the gifted e-arc.

This book is a fast-paced fantasy with plenty of unique magic, secrets, magical animal companions, romance, and an intense journey to an unknown world.

You know I love a journey, especially one that becomes more than initially thought. Amanda's journey to try and save her boyfriend Eric's life has led her on an unexpected path to finding herself as well. She has to learn how to trust and to kind of unlearn some things she always thought to be true.

I really enjoyed this story. The worldbuilding was great. I love the characters. There's a little bit of the creepy element, which keeps you on your toes. The saving-the-world part gives that time-is-running-out vibe.

It ends on a cliffhanger of sorts, but is more of a change in the journey. A character is headed on a quest that they're not certain they will return from. Other people's lives and life as they know it hangs in the balance. I am so excited to read the next installment in this series!

I definitely recommend THE DARKEST GIFT!

[Mel - Write On Editorial · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC recieved in exchange for Review.
In The Darkest Gift, Amanda is a wizard who attends a magic academy in Colorado and gets tricked into travelling through a portal to another realm called Sunshadow with her boyfriend Eric.
Once there, Eric's life is in danger and Amanda faces a dangerous journey, through unknown perils, in a race to rescue him.
Along the way she meets unicorns, who may or may not be evil, other wizards, both friend and foe, and Matier, a boy who makes her question her relationship with Eric.
As she learns more about Sunshadow, she learns more about her own powers and strength.
The Darkest Gift is a fresh take on magic and its wielders. I particularly liked the inclusion of unicorns and the ambivalence of not knowing whose side they were on. Sunshadow was rich in complexity and interesting, as there was always something new to learn about it. The love triangle added just the right amount of romance.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Nikki for an e-ARC of The Darkest Gift!

Spice : 🌶🌶

Tropes:

🌟 Dark academia
🌟 Enemies to lovers
🌟 Unicorn companions
🌟 Curses
🌟 Murder
🌟 Elemental magic
🌟 Found family
🌟 He falls first

I loved everything about this book. It has a unique magic system using Shadows as doors and corridors between places. Relationships that remind me of the ones in A Court of Thorns and Roses which I love with all my heart. It kept me invested in the story. Characters that have depth and I would like to be friends with. Especially Matier's sister Carmela. I hope we will see more of her in book 2?
The ending was not at all what I was expecting! This book made me gasp so many times thanks to all the twists. And I loved the romance. I can't say much here because of possible spoilers, but I agree with Amanda's choice. I know it was a difficult one.

Literally my favorite book of 2026 so far!

[Oldbookishwoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a strong start to this dark academia fantasy series. Setting up plots, magic systems, realms and portals in a way that is interesting and thoughtful without overwhelming the reader but at the same time the author doesn't 'dumb it down' either, which is refreshing.
There are of course lots of relationship dynamics in this book romantic and friendship, not to mention battling villains.
There are plenty of interesting characters to root for both main - Amanda, Matier who at least in this book just comes across as lovely then there is Eric who is cursed and Amanda's boyfriend I am curious as to what happens next for these three. Then the secondary characters all add to the story, who never feel surplus. This is an interesting page turning adventure with lots and lots of peril. Oh and yes unicorns, fricking unicorns come on!!!
The pacing was good and the plot definitely held my attention. I cannot wait to see where book 2 takes me.

[Chhaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's my first time reading a fantasy book with unicorns. I'm a sucker for dark academia fantasy books, and this one just hit the mark perfectly.

I loved the setting of Sunshadow and the magic system there, and then there are unicorns—not the glittery, soft magical types, but dark and dangerous to humans. The plot was interesting and fun to read. I loved the twists in between. They keep you hooked.

I feel that I'd love to see more development in Amanda's relationship with both Eric and Matire, though her chemistry with Matire is amazing. I'm excited to read the next book in the series.

The dark fantasy and academia part was perfect in the book; however, the development of the love triangle was not a strong aspect in my opinion.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend it if you enjoy a unique magic system, amazing world-building, and an interesting plot that keeps you hooked.

[Tea_Reading_and_Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright so I'm officially team Matt because idk how she can really look at Eric after everything, I mean I get it but honestly Matt seemed better and they appear to have more chemistry right now. Even with as encouraging as Eric was, Matt is more so and is also encouraging her to act on her one and feels more confident in letting her do what she needs to do.

Now the Magic System. Having so many separate designations was interesting and I really like the idea of Ghosters and wanna see how much further those abilities can be pushed when now working for the Place of Darkness. I'm a sucker for elemental powers and did really like the explanation for them and the different applications seen. So I really wanna read more about the system.

That ending does make me excited for the next book because it sounds like it picks up right where this left off and with a few things up in the air I wonder how long the ending task will take and if we'll see Amanda at her strongest yet.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure to read this book while it was still on wattpad in 2022. The writing is atmospheric and I love the authors' style and the way she describes emotions in every scene. It starts with a murder and an escape from an academy of magic in our world. The main character Amanda will do everything to save her boyfriend Eric and so she jumps into a forbidden portal not knowing what lies ahead or even if she will find Eric still alive.
In that parallel world called Sunshadow she meets members of different Palaces and learns who is her friend, and who is her enemy.
I absolutely loved the UNICORNS!! Especially Obsidian, who is not always what he seems. I did not see the twist coming. I only hope that book 2 will solve the mystery of what happened in the end because I need to know!
If you're a fan of dark academia and epic fantasy, you will love this book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book, it starts off so innocently and quickly takes a darker turn. Amanda is so strong, especially in the face of such daunting odds. Fate places her and Eric right in the line of fire, and in the end, more than his life is hanging in the balance. The imagery is vivid enough to make you feel like you can see everything unfolding. I loved seeing Amanda and Eric act like you'd expect from two people their age at the start, even if they have to grow up fast. I love it when young protagonists don't start as too mature for their age. Although, if you're looking for a romance-heavy story, you'll find yourself disappointed, but the romance does add a nice layer to everything, and there's hints of future love triangle possibilities. Definitely recommend and looking forward to what's to come!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I am officially obsessed with this world. The Darkest Gift had me completely hooked from start to finish. The vibes were dark, magical, and just… addictive. I kept flipping pages like I couldn’t get enough of Amanda and Eric and all the chaos surrounding them.

The world-building hit different. Sunshadow feels alive, dangerous, and full of surprises at every turn. The tension and suspense had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and there were so many little twists that I did not see coming.

Amanda and Eric were such a fun duo. I loved watching them grow, face challenges, and just survive this wild magical mess. The romance was slow-burn enough to be satisfying, but the stakes made every interaction feel electric.

I’m already craving more of this magical chaos.

[NinaInkdawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the book I loved the most about this book. I really loved it. It has a world building that intrigues and fascinates and what about the magic system? Truly unique. I don't want to give away spoilers but if you loved the relationships in "A Court of Thorns and Roses" like I did, you will love this one even more. I couldn't put it down thanks to the writer's skill. I always wanted more. The characters are not banal but on the contrary, you will be passionate about their stories and while I was reading I wanted to be with them. Carmela, Matier's sister intrigued me, I hope she has more space in the second book! What an ending?! If you like stories that leave you breathless and speechless... absolutely read this wonderful book

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 1 in Nikki's new series 'The Spells if Darkness' and follows Amanda as she attends her school ball and everything starts to climb on fhe rollercoaster ride that Nikki has written.

Amanda is a great character and it was great seeing her learn and grow ad the story progresses because of course, not everything is what is seems.

The story itself is well-written, with Nikki being all to engage the reader and you find yourself in tbe book itself.

The plot is unique and I loved how Amanda just threw you into the story, almost on the first page though I wasn't expecting that!

There are lots of twisty turns and Nikki certainly keeps you on your toes

A great start to the series and can't wait to see what happens next.

🌟 Thank you to the author for an early copy 🌟

[Finger Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Rounded Up
2 Spicy

Overall this was an enjoyable read. I don't personally care for what looks to be the start of a love triangle in any of my YA/ Romantasy/ Fantasy books. Besides that the book had wonderful world building, the unicorns gave it a nice fairytale retelling aspect to it and the magical system was very unique.

I go between loving the descriptions of the forest and castles to sometimes it going on a little too long so I found myself skipping paragraphs of descriptions.

My favorite quote: “Magic will answer, no matter how dark the calling.”

Tropes:
• Unicorn companions
• Elemental magic
• Dark academia
• Reluctant heroine
• Portal magic
• He falls first
• Warrior prince
• Semi love triangle
• Cozy cabin
• Found family

[Eden Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light and darkness fight in this book as Amanda is trying to decide how far she is willing to go to save not just her ex boyfriend but also the academy of magic in Denver. She is emphatetic and loves animals. I loved how she rescued the lynx in the forest and gave food to a homeless woman. And there is talk about angels? How cool is that? And I must say I found the Ace of the Palace of Darkness intriguing. And the way Amanda sneaked into their fortress was ingenious. I loved this book. I'm looking forward to book 2 in the Spells of Darkness series!

[Shreya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has enough whimsy to fuel me for decades.

And the best part? Unicorns.

I need you to look at the cover. It's magnificent. I love it.

Starting this book, I had my qualms because of 'unicorns' and right now I love it because of, well, Unicorns.

I think it has similar vibes to Immortal Consequences, magical academy and dark magic and things.

It's adventurous and full of thrill and overtime I liked Amanda. It's a very fast, engaging read and I read it in under a week so, do read

[Nicole Hess · Rating 2 out of 5]

**ARC Copy**

I'll be honest the names of magic types and locations kinda gave me the ick in this book. I get that it's a YA novel and I really wanted to like it but I couldn't get past the names. they were just way too on the nose and it felt like they were extremely lacking in creativity (Example: "Dreamia" "Ghosters" "Darkners"). I was also super annoyed with the love triangle.

It just wasn't a book for me.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had good bones to the developing story but the too on the nose names of the people and things just pulled me out of the story. It started off fast and didn’t give enough world building to hook me. Things were explained as we went but that also took me out of the story at times. I received an ARC and am leaving this review willingly. I’m hoping for the rest of the series I can get past some of the naming and pacing.

[Daniela A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 ⭐️
Thoughts 💭

I had a somewhat difficult time getting into the book more on my side than the book itself. The book was rather interesting when we are taken through the portal with Amanda and Eric when everythingbstarts to go wrong specially for Eric. While Amanda has to team up with the prince to save Eric their trip is not as easygoing as one would want it to be. Because you don't know who will betray you and who you can trust.

[Kacey Rayburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Darkest Gift is an exciting start to a new dark academia romantasy series. Welton weaves a fast-paced, enchanting tale laced with danger, desire, and sacrifices. This magical adventure ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared to eagerly wait! I’m looking forward to seeing what unfolds in the next one!