Eternal is the Night

The Cursed Realm Saga #1

by Alayna Ravenwood

An elite private college. Missing Initiates. A truth that will change everything.

Twenty-year-old Anna was already different before her mother was murdered—and before she vanished for a year she can’t remember. When her former mentor returns, Anna embarks on a dangerous journey to Nightfall Castle, the mysterious private college her mother once attended, desperate for answers about her past—and the dormant power she’s ignored her entire life.

But Nightfall is not an ordinary college.

Something is terribly wrong within the castle’s ancient corridors. Initiates are disappearing, and the Aurkai—Nightfall’s most elite—know more than they’re willing to say. Blake, the most alluring and dangerous of the Aurkai, may be the key to uncovering Nightfall’s secrets—or the reason she never escapes them.

As the danger closes in, Anna realizes she may be next, and the truth behind Nightfall may cost her everything.

Discover the truth hidden within Nightfall Castle in this dark, seductive debut of The Cursed Realm Saga.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Academia, Fantasy Romance, Ebooks, Dark Romance

546 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2026

About the author

Alayna Ravenwood writes the kind of character-driven, world-rich stories she’s always loved to fall into. As a franchise fan, she believes the best worlds are the ones that feel boundless—where readers can lose themselves in endless stories and unforgettable characters. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and three children, where their family’s balance of martial arts, outdoor adventures, Minecraft, and coffee keeps life just as full as her pages.
Eternal Is the Night is her debut novel and the beginning of The Cursed Realm Saga.

Reviews

[Gabriella୨ৎ (semi-ia)]

━━━ઇଓㅤ⤸
꒰ 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ꒱ Ⓘ dnf @62%

𝟐.𝟓 ✩

꒰ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ꒱
I’m so sorry, but I don’t think I can continue reading this. I’m in the wrong mindset right now, not able to fully connect to the story and these characters, and I don’t think it’s fair to both myself and the author if I force myself to finish it.

It’s always so disheartening when you’re eager to read a book because it’s hooked you in by the blurb, cover, or tropes, but are disappointed and don’t end up enjoying it. The synopsis sounded really exciting and a nice palette cleanser from other books with a mysterious magic school, disappearance of students, and unravelling of secrets. But sadly I was let down with how boring it actually was. I only managed to read sixty percent, and had to force myself through a decent portion of it because I just wasn’t vibing. If you want similar vibes to Hogwarts, or maybe you like mystery and a unique world, even dark and dangerous magic–I think Eternal is the Night will be perfect for you. It just sadly wasn’t for me. And that’s okay, I hope others who read this have a magical and marvelous time.

The beginning was, understandably, boring. It’s the introduction to the characters and the world. Yet the first twenty or so percent was such a struggle for me. I think I need to accept that books set in, or have mentions of, the real world just aren’t for me. In addition to that, even when the secret college that I was pumped to read about made an appearance, I had no care for what was happening. It was slow, the chapters were too long for my liking, the way some of the characters talked really irked me, and even though there were some on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments, they didn’t last long and it was uninteresting all over again. Also what was going on with the love interest? Their ‘romance’, if I can even call it that, was confusing–and not in a pleasant way.

Once again, my apologies to the author for dnf’ing. This is in no way personal, Eternal is the Night just wasn’t for me.

━━━

ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: ꒱
[ An elite private college. Missing Initiates. A truth that will change everything. ] omg this sounds amazing and exactly what i’ve been looking for. i’ve had some pretty disappointing reads recently, but i really want to find a book that i’ll fall in love with. and this author has promised that i will, so i’m hoping she’s right. the dedication was so beautiful and kind of got me in my feels, and i can’t wait to meet these characters and get my heart broken as promised.

Ⓘ thank you @netgalley and publisher for giving me the chance to read this free arc, i'm very eager to share my thoughts.

Ⓘ pub date: march 12th 2026

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝: 25/2/2026
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: dnf’ed

-𝓖

[Books &Chaos]

There is not a single bad thing I could say about this book. I genuinely LOVED every second of it!!! It is action packed, fast paced, has excellent character development, interesting magic/world building and a mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat.

This story is packed full of characters who keep secrets or tell half truths. I never knew who I could trust and who I couldn’t. The characters were all well written and it was easy to keep up with who’s who. I was impressed by the fact that every single character was interesting in their own way. Some I liked, some I didn’t, but I can honestly say that I was not bored by anyone.

The story contained mystery after mystery and I never knew what to expect! I enjoyed that some of the mystery and secrets are revealed while some we are left wondering. We get the satisfaction of some closure but there is still so much left to uncover in the next book. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Blake and Anna and the future of the realm!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

Tropes ✨:
Hidden Magic World
Private training academy
Deadly Trials
Cursed realm
Secrets & hidden truths
Mystery
Slow burn romance
Grief/loss of parent

🖤: “Fire could be used for light or it could be used to burn everything to ash. Right now, I wanted everything to burn.”

ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Scarlett Reading]

3.75 stars rounded up!

This book has such a great dark academia premise the mysterious academy, hidden magic, and a heroine searching for answers about her past.

I really enjoyed the eerie Nightfall setting and the constant sense that something darker was lurking beneath the surface. The story introduces a lot of intriguing mysteries, though I did wish the worldbuilding and magic system had been explored a little deeper.

Overall, it’s a solid start to the series with a lot of potential, and I’m curious to see where the story goes next.

Tropes / elements:
- Dark academia
- Magical academy
- Hidden powers
- Secret societies
- Missing memories / mysterious past
- Dangerous love interest
- Castle setting
- Mystery-driven plot

Thank you for the ARC!

[Abbie]

this book initially hooked me in from the beginning and i flew through the first 20%. i loved the mystery element and the academy setting.

however as i kept reading, more and more mysteries kept being added and it was hard to keep track of everything.

there was also a LOT of characters in this one, none of which really had any development so i struggled to invest in any of them. there wasn’t any characters that specifically liked either and the romance between anna and blake was basically non existent. there was no build up and felt very insta-love.

i’d lost interest by 60% and just wanted it to be over.

this book really did have a lot of potential but sadly fell flat for me.

thank you netgalley for the arc!

[Shannon Mackay]

ARC review. This book started off really strong and immediately pulled me in with an intriguing atmosphere and a promise of something dark and mysterious unfolding. The opening had great potential, and I was excited to see where the story was going.

Unfortunately, the constant sense of mystery became more overwhelming than engaging as the book went on. Instead of questions being answered, new ones kept piling up, which made it difficult to stay fully connected to the story. Several characters were introduced without much context or grounding, leaving me struggling to understand their roles or importance.

While the concept and tone were interesting, the lack of clarity and hard to follow plot took away from the overall reading experience.

Overall, it had a promising start and an intriguing idea, but the execution made it a more confusing than immersive read for me.

[Audra Hull]

⭐️/5
🌶/1

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I don't even know what to say except I WASN'T READY 😩 I wasn't ready for the mystery, I wasn't ready for the twist, and I for sure wasn't ready for it to end!

I'm usually really good at guessing the mystery or the who-dunnit but somehow Alayna Ravenwood pulled one over on me and had me screaming WHAT!?! There were times when I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things played out.

The world building is amazing. I wasn't sure where we were going with the setting when it seemed modern, then PLOT TWIST. Secret society academy. And other things but 🤫 we aren't gonna talk about that because I don't want to ruin anything. The pace is a little slow in the beginning while you get situated, but once things kick off it happens fast!

Everyone at Nightfall kept me guessing. "WHAT ARE YOU??" Kept floating through my mind on repeat. The road to self-discovery that Anna had to take was paved with questions, angst, and danger. And I'm still trying to figure out what the energy between her and Blake is.

If you're looking for a gripping story filled with a strange academy in the mountains shrouded in mystery and missing students with a hint of spice and a fat dose of found family, this is the one! I did not want to put this book down and I devoured it. I'll be eagerly waiting for the next book.

[gabrielle]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an earc in exchange for an honest review.

2.5⭐️ this had a lot of really cool tropes, academy settings, secret societies, magic, deadly trials, slow burn romance and more. there was lots of mystery and i found myself wanting to keep reading to work everything out, lots of twists i didn’t see coming and some very action packed moments, a slow start as there was a lot of focus on world building and character introductions but it picks up in pace very quickly, i will definitely be checking out book 2 as i need to know what happens!!

[jas ♡]

Review of advanced copy received from Netgalley

If a book takes me more than two days to read, you know I was bored as fuck. I genuinely considered DNF’ing—and if you know me, I do NOT do that—but I was already 68% through the book and I just couldn’t.

The writing was okay but the story moved so slowly it was hard to get through. I wasn’t a huge fan of Anna or Blake: she was dramatic and annoying, and he was bland most of the time. They were drawn to each other from the moment they met and it was so insta-love, making the romance incredibly lackluster. He recognized her from the past in a way I won’t spoil, but that detail was hyped up in a way I didn’t think it deserved. The reveal was dramatized, but it didn’t really hit for me at all.

There was also a portion of the book where they’re randomly in a school play, and that just felt out of place and unnecessary to me.

I was enjoying it at the beginning, but it just kept dragging and dragging. The final 10% was significantly better than most of the book, bumping my rating up to three stars, but it didn’t make up for how bored I was the rest of the time. In the end, I’m just glad it’s over.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

thank you to the publisher for the arc♡

[Christina Lyons (irb_beach_girl)]

I was fortunate to receive this advanced readers copy from the author!

As best I can without spoilers....
This has a classic slow burn quality that steadily builds until you don't even realize you are fully emersed. It is an absolutely mind-gripping blend of magic and romance that I couldn't get enough of. Our FMC has their own issues she's working through but it all gets plot twisted out of the blue, love this!! As other characters are introduced, more secrets are exposed and worlds expand. The tension between the characters is obvious, and the world-building is very detailed. I stayed up late every night because I couldn't put it down—it is the perfect romantic fantasy escape ....and omg that ending! Yep we need book 2 Alayna!!

[AOKayy]

This story follows Anna, our FMC, who spent most of her life hidden away by her mother for reasons she never understood. After her mother is tragically killed, Anna herself disappears for an entire year only to return with no memory of where she’s been or what happened during that lost time.

Now grieving and desperate for answers, Anna is trying to piece together the truth about her mother’s death… and about herself. When an old mentor reappears and reveals the existence of a secret society her mother once belonged to, Anna is invited to undergo a series of deadly trials to join.

But the deeper she goes, the clearer it becomes that nothing about this world or the people in it is what it seems. Secrets unravel, loyalties are tested, and Anna may have stepped into something far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

If you’re looking for an academic fantasy with dark mystery and thriller elements, this might be your next read.

☪️ Deadly Trials
☪️ Forbidden Love
☪️ Hidden Powers
☪️ Mysterious Deaths & Vanishings
☪️ Secret Society
☪️ Morally Gray MMCs
☪️ Touch-Her-and-Die Energy
☪️ Academic Setting

I had a hard time getting into this book, I struggle when the world building is lacking and you’re thrown into a setting and magic system you don’t entirely understand. The foundation of this book had promise and I think if you’re looking for a debut novel that could build into something I would say give it a shot!

[Hira Khan]

Holy hell. When I say I want a dark fantasy/romantasy, this is what I mean. I’m a huge sucker for dark academia and this did not disappoint. The world building was phenomenal. It felt so immersive, like I was watching everything unfold in front of my eyes. There were so many wild plot twists, especially in the last 25%. I had 0 clue where this was going and I gasped way too many gasps. I cannot wait for next book. I already know this is going to be one of my favorite books of 2026.

[Chelsey (a_novel_idea11)]

I'm selective about my forays into the fantasy realm and I was excited for this new series. It starts off in the real world which definitely took some getting used to for me but ultimately I liked. I kept questioning the world and if there was magic at play and I appreciated that thought-provoking aspect. I also loved how Ravenwood connects other worlds and builds such a captivating and real-world adjacent setting.

Eternal is the Night definitely sets the reader up for a lot to come. There is a lot of shared history and relationship plotting that was at times confusing but necessary for the saga. We also learn quite a bit about our protagonist Anna, but so much is left a mystery and if you're a reader who needs every plot line tied up, you won't find that (yet).

This novel definitely has more of a YA vibe than some other fantasy I've loved. I didn't feel the love interest connection as much as I had hoped--it felt a little forced and out of nowhere. I would have loved more tension and spark there. Further, the relationships and character-building will need some additional development in the next installments as get to know the world and the central cast.

All in all, Eternal is the Night was entertaining and held my interest. It was an enjoyable read and I liked that Ravenwood kept it unique from the more commercial fantasy I've read in the past. I think this will be a popular series and I'm eager to see where it goes!

[Melissa Mejia]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. OMG what did i just read!! Absolutely phenomenal the world building and the plot twist when you least expected it!! This book had me hooked not wanting to put it down! Someone say secret society academy!! Yes please!! You could feel the tension between the characters like you were there!! Absolutely loved this book and did not want it to end!!

“Eternal Is the Night is the sweeping first installment of The Cursed Realm Saga, where secrets unravel slowly and every thread leads deeper into a world far larger than it first appears.

An elite private college. Missing Initiates. A truth that will change everything.”

[Tegan novelteereads]

Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy of her coming soon novel.

This started out with plenty of intrigue, with a fast paced storyline. I feel like it tries really hard to maintain a sense of mystery throughout the book, but it was a little too much for me to keep track of the actual storyline. Even upon completion of the book there were very few questions answered. I also had a hard time keeping all of the secondary characters straight due to lack of descriptions, so some of the twists didn’t hit like they should have.

The world building is definitely there in this darker academia fantasy series, but there was far too much going on for me to feel properly submerged in it.

[Tara]

Eternal is the Night by Alayna Ravenwood is a romantic fantasy that follows Anna, a young woman who’s haunted by her mother’s death and a missing year of her life she can’t remember. When her former mentor/friend/father-ish figure reappears, she’s invited to Nightfall Castle, an elite and secretive private college/secret society her mother once attended, hoping to uncover the truth about her family’s past. But she realizes rather quickly that something is wrong at Nightfall. Initiates vanish, and the powerful inner circle called the Aurkai are a little too secretive. Anna is instantly attracted to Blake (our male main character with that dark don’t-completely-trust-him energy, but love him anyway), who is one of the Aurkai, and he is a mystery of his own. Dark, tense, and addictive, this book pulls you into a world where nothing feels safe and every answer comes at a cost.

I was hooked almost immediately. The academy setting combined with the secret society element hit a sweet spot, and I loved watching the layers of Nightfall slowly unravel. The tension between Anna and Blake added just the right amount of danger and intrigue. But it wasn’t just them. I’m invested in the whole cast. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

If you like romantic fantasy set in an academia environment, with immersive worldbuilding, magic, and a strong female main character, I definitely recommend checking this one out.

Thank you to Alayna Ravenwood for the eARC.

[Tyleia | Coffee & Lit Shelf]

Thank you to Alaya Ravenwood for providing an advance copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5

“She learned to fight, to run, to hide - whatever was necessary to ensure she survived.”

I really enjoyed a lot of elements in this book! The story has a strong dark academia vibe with magical twists and a bit of a murder mystery feel throughout. The plot kept twisting and definitely kept me on my toes, which I enjoyed.

I really liked the FMC and the other leading characters. Anna especially was a great lead. Her internal thoughts felt very believable and funny at times. The MMC didn’t completely win me over yet, but he definitely has potential, so I’m curious to see where his character goes in the next book.

At times though the story felt like it jumped around a bit, like I was missing pieces or important context that probably would have helped some moments land better.
The first half also holds back a lot of information, and then later the reveals start coming quickly one after another. The pacing ended up feeling slow at first and then a little rushed once everything started happening which I personally find common in a lot of fantasy/romantasy books.

That said, the world building and atmosphere were really well done and honestly it was easy to picture everything going on. The book also ends on a cliffhanger, so I do think a lot of things will probably be expanded on in the next book. Overall, I am very excited to see where the story goes!

[Jess]

Let me start by saying, the plot of this book is amazing. The concept of the different worlds, the magic, the different beings - so interesting and such a unique idea. The combination of dark academia, murder mystery, magical reveals, deception and so many plot twists was also brilliant.

This could’ve been a 5 star read but it needed some developing.

Firstly, the character needed to be developed more. There wasn’t enough interaction between them for me to truly believe their relationships or really feel much for them. I loved Anna as a FMC and she was written really well - I loved her internal thoughts: they were believable and hilarious. The other characters were just very one dimensional. I didn’t buy into the insta-friendships between Anna and Isabella (or Bella…the switch between the two was a bit annoying!) and I also didn’t understand why Anna cared so much about Cody at the start…

Secondly, there was just too much mystery for the first half of the book. More of the lore/magical elements needed to be revealed sooner. It felt like half way through we were totally bombarded with reveal after reveal and weren’t given enough time to process each element. This contrasted a lot with the first half of the book which became frustrating and slow.

The world building and the author’s descriptions were beautiful though and it was easy to get lost in the world created in Eternal is the Night.

I wish I could give this more stars as the potential is huge… it just wasn’t quite there for me.

[Lauren]

Thank you Netgalley and Alayna Ravenwood for this eARC.

This was one of those books that had me hooked with the prologue. It opens with death, with missing memories, and with an FMC trying to understand what happened with her lost year. Anna turns 20 years old at the start of the story, and has been trained most of her life by Derrick in a variety of combat and weapons skills. She was never sure why, which makes the situation feel more authentic. I enjoyed that she is strong and well trained, but, even she was unsure about why she was being trained.

This story quickly advances into Dark Academia, and I absolutely loved the set-up of the school, the classmates Anna meets there, and the mysteries that continue through the story. Blake is the MMC she meets fairly early on, when she arrives at the school. It was not hard to figure out he would become her main love interest, and yet, he became an easy to like mystery man.

This was a book I could not put down. The world building is fantastic. The magic system is unique. There is a lot of mystery and twists throughout the story to keep the reader engaged. The ending has me ready for more.

[Lynn Ihle]

Review of advanced copy from NetGalley

This was an amazing read! The twists and turns kept me glued. If I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it. I’ve never had some many questions while reading a book. You’re learning things as the main character, Anna, is and that adds a whole layer of excitement. I found myself trying to connect the dots and couldn’t figure it out. Which is unusual for me!
I enjoyed the school setting and the friendships (maybe not some of the friendships towards the end though) 😅
I feel extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to read Eternal is the Night and get lost in this world. Thank you, Alayna Ravenwood for creating this. I’m obsessed and ready to continue this journey in 2027!
#blakeforever

[Jennifer]

4.5 stars

This was such a fun start to a new fantasy saga! I loved the dark academia atmosphere, the layered world building, and how every answer seemed to uncover an even bigger mystery. I found myself constantly theorizing about the characters and what was really going on.

The romance, secrets and twists had me hooked and I’m already eager to see where Book 2 takes this story. While I would have loved a few more answers by the end, it definitely delivered enough to leave me excited for what’s next.

If you enjoy fantasy with magical schools, multiple realms, mystery, slow burn romance and plenty of intrigue, this one is worth picking up!

Thank you NetGalley and Aurelia & Orion Publishing | Aurelia Press for this arc!

[Lindsay Howell]

I was really drawn into the mystery of this world! While there were moments where I felt the plot was slightly drawn out—mostly because Anna seemed to avoid asking the obvious questions—I started to wonder if that was just her way of coping with everything.

I actually really enjoyed the romance, you could feel the tension but also know the MMC is holding secrets that will come to light. Just don’t go into it expecting spice.

The dialogue has a formal, almost forced quality to it at times. While I think this was intentional for some of the characters, it did make the flow feel a bit choppy at times.

THAT. BETRAYAL. It cut deep! I LOVE a good unexpected betrayal! Between the secrets finally coming to light and the cliffhanger ending, I have so many unanswered questions. This sets up the rest of the series perfectly—I'm already ready for book two!

[Taylor Cook]

I just finished reading "Eternal is the Night," and I have to say, it's a captivating blend of romance and fantasy that really pulls you in.

Alayna Ravenwood’s writing is super engaging and easy to follow. She does a fantastic job of painting a vivid picture of this magical world, and I couldn't put the book down because the pacing is just so good. There are a lot of unexpected twists that keep things thrilling, which I really enjoyed!

What I loved most are the characters. They’re well-developed and relatable, so it’s easy to connect with their struggles and feelings. I found myself rooting for them as they faced their challenges and went on their adventures.

Of course, no book is perfect, but this one offers a delightful adventure that's definitely worth your time. If you're on the lookout for something new to dive into, I can confidently say that this one is a solid choice! And I can’t wait for the next book!

[Alexis H]

Thank you so much to the author for this ARC copy for review! Eternal is the Night is the first book in the Cursed Realm Saga & it definitely did not disappoint!

It blends urban fantasy with dark academia, romance, mystery & suspense. I am definitely still trying to get into urban fantasy as my brain is still not making the full connection & seamlessly blend the two worlds together but that’s very much a me problem & not the book or the genre.

As this is the first book in the series, there was a lot of world building & so many questions swirling around the FMC, her backstory & all the secrets that every character seems to be keeping.

Can’t wait to read the next book & hopefully get some more answers!

[Elizabeth Pannell]

Thanks to NetGalley and Alayna Ravenwood for the ARC!
Anna arrives at Nightfall after a devastating tragedy, but when students start disappearing, she begins to suspect everything is connected to her past.
I’m a bit torn on this one. The world-building and central mystery were compelling, and I kept reading to find answers. However, the pacing felt too fast at times, with a lot happening all at once, making it hard to fully process.
There were also a lot of characters, which made it difficult for me to keep track and stay fully engaged.
Overall, I can see why others enjoyed it, even if it didn’t completely work for me. I’d still consider picking up the next book in the series.

[Marte]

I think the author has a fantastic writing style. There are so many beautiful descriptions, and everything feels very vivid. There’s something about the atmosphere that works really well.
I like the main character and the mysteries in the book. However, I did feel that there were quite a lot of names, which made it a bit confusing at times. That said, I think this book has only just scratched the surface of what could become a very interesting series. I will definitely continue reading when book two comes out.
I absolutely love the world building!

[Brooke Smith]

Absolutely loved everything about this book! From the very first page, I was pulled into a world of secrets and half- truths, and a forbidden romance where he falls first. The story kept me constantly questioning who could be truly trusted. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another twist came crashing down and proved me wrong. I was truly hooked the entire time. The mystery, the tension, and the emotional moments were so well balanced. The character development was beautifully executed and watching secrets unfold made the story so captivating. Book one set the bar high and left some big shoes for book two to fill ESPECIALLY after that ending! 😳 I cannot wait to see what happens next!

[AGirlReadsandWrites]

***ARC REVIEW***

Thank you Alayna for this ebook advanced copy.
This book follows Anna, a human woman with dormant magic as she searches for answers to what happened to her? Why does she have no memory of the year she was missing? What happened to her mother and her mother’s friend? Who is her father?
She searches for answers as she goes through the trials to enter Nightfall, a mysterious and dangerous academy for magic, and awakens her own magic.

I really liked the premise of this book and the plot was intriguing, but I think too much was put into this book. A lot of the scenes seemed to slow the story and much of the language was repetitive. Around 60% through I lost interest and it was difficult to finish. Very few of the questions that were raised got answers, and some of it was predictable. The last 10% picked up a bit, but by that point I was still not invested in the characters. It took me a lot longer to finish this than usual. However, I think my mindset was really not invested. I think I was going into a slump. I’ll revisit this a bit later when I’m not so stressed.

The book has a lot of potential, and I think things will improve as the series goes. I’m not sure if I will continue with the series at this point.

Ratings out of 5, with explanations

Rating: ???? I think my mindset really impacted my reading of this. I’ll revisit this rating.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ - 1-3 open door scenes, mild sexual language present
Violence: 🗡️🗡️🗡️ - multiple minor character deaths, battles, fights
Cliffhanger: 🏔️🏔️🏔️ - future very unsure, characters in danger, I am interested in the outcome

Quotes:

I’d let something evil in that night. I didn’t know what, or how, but I knew this—it was something no one should ever let in. It came on the heels of my anger, my selfishness, my doubt.

“You would let me have you, knowing I am keeping something from you that you will hate me for?” he whispered.

“I’ve never felt safer with anyone than I do when I’m with you,” I whispered. Blake’s expression faltered, his brow pinched as he watched me. “But it is a lie, Anna,” he said. I smiled. “Then let me live that lie.”

“The light will always burn out, but eternal is the night.”

[Melissa Mejia]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an ALC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. I absolutely loved this book and to be able to listen to it in audio was just phenomenal!! The duet narration by Jacob Morgan and Emilia Bauer is absolutely phenomenal. They were on point with this story!! You could feel all the feelings and emotions that were running with the characters!! I cant wait to see where it goes from here!! This is a dark academia fantasy, the Nightfall is a gothic academy that is brutal with many secrets!! This book will wreck you in the best way imaginable!!

“Eternal is the Night is the first book in a sweeping romantasy saga, laying the groundwork for a long-arc story where secrets unravel across multiple volumes.

An elite private college. Missing Initiates. A truth that will change everything.

Twenty-year-old Anna was already different before her mother was murdered-and before she vanished for a year she can't remember. When her former mentor returns, Anna embarks on a dangerous journey to Nightfall Castle, the mysterious private college her mother once attended, desperate for answers about her past-and the dormant power she's ignored her entire life.

But Nightfall is not an ordinary college.”

[Ladym1017]

**DNF Review – **

I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review, and I truly wanted to love this one. Unfortunately, I ended up DNF’ing it.

The premise has real potential, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. The biggest issue was the amount of unnecessary detail—there’s a lot of over-explained world building that slows the pacing and distracts from the actual story. Instead of letting the plot and characters shine, the narrative often pauses to spell everything out, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged.

That said, I can see the appeal for younger YA readers. It gave me strong vibes of the mixed with elements reminiscent of —secretive systems, structured world rules, and a coming-of-age feel. While it wasn’t a great fit for me personally, I do think my teenage daughter might enjoy it more, especially if she’s looking for something immersive and detail-heavy.

Overall, this one just wasn’t for me, but readers who love very thorough world building and YA fantasy with familiar genre influences may still find something to enjoy.

[Jen Wycech]

Romantasy
Forbidden Romance
Touch her & Die
Hidden Powers
Deadly Trials
Secret Society

Duet narration - Jacob Morgan & Emilia Bauer
FAN-Freaking-tastic narration! These two were so amazing to listen to.

Book #1 The Cursed Realm Saga

This is a very interesting book. I really enjoyed it. Anna gets the opportunity to attend the college her mother did after her mother's passing. This book is gothic dark academia fantasy ish. It has a mic of normal reality but takes us to another world. The characters are all so well performed and keep you interested throughout the story. You never quite know which way the story will turn.

Definitely looking forward to more in this series!