The Lustrous Dark

by Loretta Chefchaouni, Loretta Chefchaouni

For fans of Sabaa Tahir and Guillermo del Toro comes The Lustrous Dark, a sweeping YA fantasy inspired by a Moroccan folktale, in which a young midwife’s apprentice rises up to take back the power that’s been stolen from women.


Orphaned as a baby, Shay has spent her life training as the midwife’s apprentice. Her role grants her stability, yet Shay has always yearned for more. Namely, motherly affection and answers regarding her mysterious birth—neither of which the midwife deems practical to provide.

After Shay discovers her birth mother, Hind, is still alive and addicted to a magical drug called Snow, she determines to get the woman clean. But when Hind betrays Shay to get her hands on more Snow, Shay’s abandoned within a deadly forest and forced to rely on band of monstrous ghouls for safety.

Shay’s realm has long stood on the brink of war between the men who control magic and the revolutionaries who want to eliminate it. But in the forest, Shay hears the pleading call of ancient spirits who claim that not only has magic been stolen, but Shay has the power to return it. With the help of a spitfire revolutionary and the boy who’s winning over her heart, Shay discovers the horrific truth of who produces Snow and will have to decide for herself whether to heed the spirits’ charge or fade into obscurity.

This emotionally raw and gorgeously rendered fairy tale combines the lush worldbuilding of This Woven Kingdom with the mother trauma of Snow White and a dash of Tim Burton. Steeped in mysticism and mythology, The Lustrous Dark confronts injustices against women with a righteous scream that’ll inspire readers to rally against the patriarchy and oppressive regimes worldwide.

Perfect for readers who love Political Revolutions, Fighting the Patriarchy, Toxic Mothers, Reawakening the Gods, Ancient Magic, Bone-Chilling Monsters, Haunted Forests, Female Friendships, Fairy Tale Retellings, North African Folklore, and Cinnamon Roll Love Interests.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Young Adult Fantasy, Fiction, Retellings, Audiobook, Teen

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2026

About the author

Loretta Chefchaouni is a former early childhood educator from Florida who writes for teens. Her fantastical tales turn grief and fear into myth and monsters and explore all the scary parts of being human within the safe space of stories. She is made of coffee stains and cat fur, and if you were to cut her open, you'd find a marshmallow center. The Lustrous Dark is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Intisar Khanani · Rating 5 out of 5]

At turns grim and whimsical, this is a fairytale of our times, filled with grisly dangers, feminist rage, and steadfast female friendship--and a lovely, gentle romance to wrap it all up. A story I will be thinking about for a long time to come. And I am definitely waiting on the second book in this duology! Highly recommend!

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Lustrous Dark
by Loretta Chefchaouni
YA Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Peachtree Publishers
Ages: 15+

Shay spent her life being trained as the midwife's apprentice. As an orphan, becoming a midwife was a good way to make a living. And even though she is happy with her life, she still wonders about her mother, whom the midwife will not talk about.

But Shay discovers her mother is alive, but addicted to a drug called Snow that enhances women's magical abilities, abilities that are now controlled by men. When she tries to help her mother get off the drug, her mother betrays her, and Shay wakes up in the forest where monsters live. But a group of ghouls saves her and brings her into their home.

As the days go on, the war in the realm between those who now control the magic and those who want to destroy it grows; Shay begins to hear spirits calling for help to give the magic back to its rightful users, women.


I had a very hard time with this story, and I regret not DNFing it. It was slow, and Shay was supposed to be, I think, in her late teens; she came across more as twelve. I get that she was sheltered, but for a woman being around women during childbirth, I feel that she should've been more mature.

But I did like the forest and its characters. That, in my opinion, was the best part of the book, just the forest and most of its inhabitants. The rest of the characters blurred together. I couldn't tell you who was who and why they were important, other than Shay's mom, whom I hated.

Overall, this story just didn't feel developed enough for the maturity level it needed to be believable. If Shay came to my door to be my midwife, I'd feel safer with a farmer who'd helped a cow give birth. I will not be reading the next in the series.

1 Star


The eARC was granted by Peachtree Publishers through NetGalley (thank you) in exchange for my honest review.

[Pascale Lacelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO GOOD, I couldn't put it down!! My official blurb: The Lustrous Dark is as lush and enchanting as it is raw and haunting. With rich mythology, lovable characters, and exquisite prose, Loretta Chefchaouni’s debut tackles themes of oppression and addiction with unflinching honesty and hope. A fiercely feminist tale about reclaiming one’s power.

[S.K. Ali]

WHAT A COVER!!! Can't wait for this!!

[Zana]

DNF @ 70%

The summary pretty much tells you what happens in the first half, so there wasn't any room for mystery or interpretation.

I usually vibe with any and all writing styles, but this one wasn't doing it for me. Similar to the summary spoiling the first 50% of the novel, the writing also left no room for the reader to infer any details, subtext, or even the FMC's feelings. Everything is told to the reader. It became exhausting after a while. I prefer a bit of mystique.

Also, everything after the first half was pretty predictable so I lost interest, unfortunately.

Thank you to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for this arc.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was cute in a dark way. Review to come! 🪾

(FINAL REVIEW:)

I had a wonderful time with this fresh YA Moroccan folktale retelling/inspired fantasy! The characters were super sweet in their own ways and the setting was wonderfully spooky and I think very fitting for a Halloween read later this year. I will preface this review by saying that I am a part of the street team for this debut and that this position didn’t influence my views on the book whatsoever. Now, on to the review! ☺️

The world itself is something that I would like to highlight here for the review. I was incredibly lucky to see the northern tip of Morocco back in 2016 (HOW WAS THAT TEN FREAKING YEARS AGO?!) on a student tour of Tangiers, Tetouan, and a day trip to Chefchaouen, the gorgeous blue town in the mountains. The latter was what I had in mind for the setting of Nezjar and man did it elevate my experience reading this tale. I definitely want to go back to this wonderful country because 3 days was definitely an insufficient time to get to experience this wonderful and welcoming country. 🇲🇦

Now, on to the actual characters and story. The tale follows Shay, the young apprentice to the medina’s well respected midwife. She’s shy, rather gullible (but in an endearing way), and incredibly resilient. I loved the development she went through in this book even if it came at immense pain for her. I think seeing her come out of her shell and embrace the situation that she was (quite literally) thrown into was empowering for any young girl to read about. I also thought her strained relationships with the mother figures in her life were well crafted and didn’t hold back on its punches. Chefchaouni really shows how complex motherhood is and that’s not always rainbows and sunshine, but maybe little notes of approval and misguided acts of love. I did wish that we had a bit more time understanding why Ghita was so aloof with Shay in the first place, but maybe I just missed something in my reading. . . . It happens and that’s on me. 😖

The side characters were a wonderful motley bunch. I loved the bone eater’s diverse personalities and desire to protect Shay, Khwala’s unbridled joy, Shadi’s calm and steady presence, and the sisters Marjan and Yara’s cute opposite personalities. I am so excited to see where the second book will take this lovely gang in the story, especially after that ending. 😳

All in all, I had a wonderful time with this fantasy, and loved getting a peek into Moroccan folklore and folk tales! Thank you goes out to the author, Chefchaouni for letting me be a part of this wonderful street team and helping to promote retelling/folklore inspired fantasy! I can’t wait to see where the plot goes in the next book! And thank you goes to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for accepting my earlier request to read this in exchange for an honest review. ❤️

Publication date: May 19!! So go get your preorders in now to get the exclusive pretty first edition! 😍

Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️

[Sawsan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated releases for 2026!

I loved that it was Moroccan-inspired, YA horror fantasy. I've been really intrigued by fantasy crossed with other genres because it adds a layer of intrigue, as it was here. I also liked that the Moroccan culture came through; there was lots of tea drinking, Moroccan sweets, clothing and even the language - I was looking things up. I love it when that happens because it feels like the author was really intentional and unapologetic with integrating the cultural inspiration.

Shay, as a main character, was not your typical fierce chosen one, but rather a gentle, uncertain protagonist who craves a sense of belonging she eventually finds with Shadi and Khawla. In truth, she has no real desire to be a hero, but her friendship with Khawla, one of my favourite characters, brought out Shay's confidence and fierceness. And the way things ended with Shadi...I was like OH BOY, we're in for a ride in book 2!

Of course, I would be remiss to not mention the bone-eaters. When I first met the brothers, I didn't trust them, and the idea of them was a bit grotesque, but I was eventually so endeared to them, and the found family became one of the aspects of the book I loved. Anytime that trope pops up in a book, I will eat it up.

Tariq, on the other hand, was genuinely so creepy and gross that he really contributed to the eerie nature of the book when he was on the page. Everything about him was sleazy, for lack of a better word.

Overall, this book took some interesting twists and turns, and with the way it ended, I am left eagerly waiting for the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honesty review.

[Briana Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an early version of this and I cannot WAIT to hold it in my hands!!! Y’all aren’t ready!!

[Ilana Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

Shay lives in a world fraught with political tension between the government and the rebels. Women are forbidden to use magic and the rebels, she believes, want to eradicate it entirely. She works as an apprentice midwife to Ghita, the woman who's raised her from infancy. Ghita told Shay that her mother died giving birth to her. But when rumours arise indicating this might not be true, Shay tracks her mother down and discovers that she's still alive. Shay is overjoyed, even though her mother is addicted to Snow—a substance that allows women to illegally use magic. Unfortunately, Shay's hopes of a loving reunion turn to ash when her mother betrays her, leaving her all alone in a dangerous forest.

The Lustrous dark is a young adult fantasy, inspired by Moroccan fairy tales. The writing is lush and poetic and kept me immersed it its musical beauty. I loved the rhythm, the imagery, the world-building, the exploration of culture. While it takes place in a fantasy world, there's so much that hits home in a real world way, particularly the relationships between the different characters, and the exploration of the dark aspects of mother/daughter relationships.

Loretta Chefchaouni blends political and social conflict with a devastating exploration of a fraught mother/daughter relationship. There were parts that were hard to read and my heart still hurts, but the subject matter was handled with skill and care. I particularly adored the feminist aspect, which made me feel both rage and triumph. The characters are complex and well-drawn and I grew to love them. I enjoyed watching Shay learn and grow from her harrowing experiences. The secondary characters were fantastic too, Shadi in particuar. It's a wonderful story full of love and spirituality, and I'm grateful to have been able to read it.

[Loretta Chefchaouni]

ARCS will be making their way into the world soon! With that in mind, this is a note from the author regarding trigger warnings. This story includes depictions of drug abuse, abandonment, toxic mothers, childbirth complications, human trafficking, anxiety and depression, parental death, government sanctioned violence against civilians, and grief. Please care for yourself if these topics bring up an emotional reaction and know it is more than okay to put this book aside for however long you need to.

My greatest hope is that the magical world inside these pages will feel like someone’s safe space. When you’re stuck in a situation you have little control over, it can seem like the whole world has forgotten you. If you’ve ever felt this way, this book is for you. Because though you may have been told otherwise, you deserve a family who loves you, even if it has to be one you make for yourself. And just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you have to carry the weight of their battles.

One of the things I love about Shay is her capacity to look for the best in people despite having her trust betrayed time and again. Some call that weakness, but I think it’s her greatest strength. Hope is the ability to imagine more. Through the power of stories, we can imagine a better world, and by doing so, we are empowered to make positive changes and impact the future.

This story is a work of fiction, but the oppression it depicts is a very real reflection of our world, and so is the ability of good people to turn things around and fight together for a future that is fair and just.

Lastly, if there is any good in this work, it is from Allah, from whom all good things come, and if there are any mistakes, it is because of me and my very flawed self. If someone out there reads The Lustrous Dark and feels less alone, I consider this journey a success.

With love,
Loretta

[آية]

You guys need to add this to your TBR!! I know Loretta and she is the SWEETEST, and I heard read aloud snippets of her writing and they were amazing--literally canNOT wait for her Moroccan-inspired Snow White retelling!!

[Desirae · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like The Lustrous Dark. On paper, this is exactly the kind of fantasy I usually find interesting: forbidden magic, folklore, monsters, complicated mother-daughter relationships, a young woman discovering her own power, and a dark story rooted in addiction and poverty. Instead, I found myself increasingly frustrated by a novel that felt like it had an important message but didn't quite know when to stop delivering it.

The story follows Shay, a seventeen-year-old midwife's apprentice who was orphaned as a baby and raised by the midwife Ghita. Shay has spent her entire life wondering about her mother and, more importantly, wondering why she wasn't loved by her. She eventually discovers that her mother, Hind, is still alive and addicted to Snow, a magical drug that temporarily enhances women's innate magical abilities. Shay, determined to save her mother, becomes caught up in a much larger conflict involving forbidden magic, oppression, revolution, ancient spirits, and the mysterious origins of Snow. After Hind betrays her for the drug, Shay ends up stranded in a dangerous forest inhabited by monsters and ghouls, where she begins to uncover the truth about the magic that has been taken from women.

There is certainly a lot happening here. There are revolutions, magical conspiracies, spirits, monsters, romance, family trauma, poverty and a society in which women's power has been systematically controlled. And yet, strangely, I never felt like there was much of a plot. Everything kept happening around Shay, but the story itself felt like it was moving through molasses. At 368 pages, The Lustrous Dark is not enormous, but it felt extremely long. There were so many stretches where I was waiting for something to actually happen.

The biggest issue for me was that the novel's themes are so aggressively foregrounded that they leave very little room for subtlety. I don't disagree with the overall message. Addiction is a devastating problem in our world, and poverty, particularly among women and families with limited resources, can create cycles that are incredibly difficult to escape. There is value in telling stories about people who are abandoned in the wake of those problems. I just wish the book had trusted me to understand that without constantly reminding me.

Everything felt like it needed to be explained, reinforced and underlined. The feminist messaging, the commentary on oppression, the addiction, the poverty — none of these are bad things to explore, but the novel sometimes reads less like a story exploring these subjects and more like a lecture using fantasy as its delivery system. A little subtlety would have gone a very long way.

And then there is Shay.

I wanted to sympathize with her, but she repeatedly became one of the biggest obstacles to my enjoyment of the story. Her abandonment issues are understandable, especially given what happened to her mother, but there were so many references to being an orphan and therefore being unloved that eventually I wanted to yell at her: Why can't you just love yourself? Her desperation for affection makes her vulnerable to people who repeatedly hurt and manipulate her, and while I understand what the author is trying to say about the damage abandonment can cause, it became repetitive rather than emotionally devastating.

Hind is, in many ways, a more interesting character. Her addiction makes her difficult to like, but she is complicated in a way that Shay isn't always allowed to be. Her relationship with her daughter is painful because there is clearly love buried beneath years of addiction, abandonment and resentment. Ghita also provides an interesting contrast as the woman who actually raised Shay, while the revolutionary and romantic elements of the story attempt to broaden Shay's understanding of family and belonging.

There are things I genuinely liked here. The Moroccan-inspired setting and folklore give the book a distinctive atmosphere, and some of the imagery surrounding the forest and its monstrous inhabitants is wonderfully dark. The concept of Snow is also clever: a drug that gives women access to the magic that society has forbidden them from using is a strong metaphor.

Unfortunately, the execution didn't work for me. The Lustrous Dark is a book with a lot to say, but it says almost all of it at full volume. The result is a fantasy novel that is very long, very slow and, ultimately, surprisingly light on actual plot. I can appreciate what Chefchaouni was trying to accomplish, and I don't think the message is wrong. I just wish the story had trusted its readers enough to discover that message for themselves.

[Allison Romeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8/5 rounded up!

I ADORED this book. The midwifery, the addiction, the soft romance, the love for bringing babies safely into the world, just everything about it was great!

There is betrayal, there are hard choices, learning to trust again, and it was all so emotionally raw and if you love political intrigue, reawakening gods, monsters, fairy tale retellings, North African folklore, and haunted forests, this one is perfect for you!

The language was hard for me at times but that is just a me thing. I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up devouring this book.

[rachel x]

"A sweeping YA fantasy inspired by a Moroccan folktale, in which a young midwife’s apprentice rises up to take back the power that’s been stolen from women."

and it's perfect for 'readers who love Political Revolutions, Fighting the Patriarchy, Toxic Mothers, Reawakening the Gods, Ancient Magic, Bone-Chilling Monsters, Haunted Forests, Female Friendships, Fairytale Retellings, North African Folklore, and Cinnamon Roll Love Interests"

[Kristen Argyres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shay’s tale is one of suffering and survival, of heartbreak and hope. This book was both a gut punch of emotion and a middle finger to wicked men in power in all the best ways.

The pacing at the end felt a bit rushed compared to the rest, but well worth the read.

I look forward to Chefchaouni’s future works!

[Motivaima · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lustrous dark- 4.5⭐️
I got an e-ARC of the lustrous dark, and it was an amazing read! I actually have so much to say and SCREAM about, but I will keep it spoiler-free for now.

There are a few things I need to really talk about, and it’s so hard to find a place to start😭 The found family was done so well! The brothers, her friends, Shadi… it was just perfect🙏 This was something she needed, and I am so thankful that the story really leaned into these relationships!

I also really enjoyed the midwife elements to the story, it’s not something I’ve read before, so this was such a unique experience! Her relationship with Ghita was also very interesting to read! This book is full of great characters and great dynamics between them!!

The different creatures were really enjoyable to read about, and I truly can’t wait for more in the sequel (how long do I have to wait?!🥲). The night hags are such interesting beings, I hope we get more of them😭

And I was really invested in the mother/daughter dynamics in the story and how they develop. All I can say is that I was not prepared for a lot of it, and it really stuck with me. The relationship between Shay and her birth mother was heavy to read, a lot happens between them, and it really made me stop the book a few times.

I don’t want to go into spoilers yet, so I won’t say much. But that ending….🫠 I will need some time to recover🥲

And of course, I truly loved the Moroccan influences, it’s what drew me to the book, but the story goes so much further and finds ways to surprise you🙌

[h i n d]

- Muslim author
- a character shares my name
say no more I'm reading this

[Keles Wyntor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy from Barnes and noble Bookfest. I knew nothing about Moroccan culture or folklore going into this book. It was really cool to learn about Morocco and Islamic culture through such a cool story. I love a strong female lead, and the overall plot of this book. I also loved the way she wrote about the magic. Can’t wait to see more from Loretta Chefchaouni!

[Ashlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 1.75 stars

I thought this book had a great premise; however, it just wasn't the book for me. I had a hard time getting into the story and engaging with the book. I'm not sure if it was the writing style just wasn't for me, or I just didn't connect with the story. The premise of the book sounded amazing and the cover is absolutely beautiful. It just wasn't a story for me unfortunately.

I received this book for free from the publisher, which does not affect my review.

[Chloe]

This was such a fantastic mix of heart wrenching and enchanting. It's not afraid to delve into the horror of both addiction and oppression, but it also ensures that the beauty of humanity shines through. I loved it.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“The Lustrous Dark” by Loretta Chefchaouni is one of those fantasy books that feels both magical and heavy at the same time, in the best way.

This is a Moroccan folklore-inspired YA fantasy (with some Snow White vibes), and the setting alone is enough to pull you in. It’s lush, atmospheric, and just a little bit eerie, like the kind of story you’d want to read in the fall when you’re in the mood for something haunting but still beautiful. The worldbuilding is super immersive, bringing in Moroccan culture and mythology in a way that feels fresh and unique compared to a lot of typical YA fantasy.

The story follows Shay, a midwife’s apprentice who starts off shy, a little naive, and honestly just trying to survive her circumstances. But over the course of the book, she goes through it, and her character growth is one of the strongest parts. Watching her slowly come into her power, especially in a world that constantly tries to take that power away from women, is really satisfying.

There’s also a lot going on beneath the surface. This isn’t just a whimsical fantasy; it tackles some pretty heavy themes like oppression, addiction, and complicated family relationships, especially between mothers and daughters. And it doesn’t sugarcoat those things either. Some parts are raw and emotional, which gives the story a lot more depth than you might expect going in.

The side characters are a fun mix too. There’s a whole group of quirky, lovable (and sometimes chaotic) allies who help balance out the darker elements of the story. They each bring something different, whether it’s humor, warmth, or just emotional support for Shay, and they make the journey feel more dynamic.

The writing itself is gorgeous. Very poetic, very descriptive, sometimes almost dreamy, but it still keeps the story moving with moments of action, tension, and even a bit of horror mixed in.

If there’s anything to note, it’s that the book leans a bit more into atmosphere and emotional storytelling than fast-paced plot at times, so if you’re looking for nonstop action, it might feel a little slower. But if you’re into character-driven fantasy with rich themes and a strong sense of place, it really works.

Overall, “The Lustrous Dark” is a beautifully written, haunting debut that blends fairytale magic with real-world struggles in a really compelling way. It’s empowering, emotional, and definitely sets things up for more to come in the series.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐴𝑙-𝑀𝑢𝑘ℎ𝑡𝑎𝑟'𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜'𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚.

I am always looking for books that introduce me to other cultures and folklore, and this one sounded so interesting! It's a young adult dark fantasy inspired by Moroccan folklore with a bit of a Snow White twist, so I knew I had to check it out.

The first half of this book was enjoyable, but once we reached the dark forest, I was completely invested. I loved the ghouls in this story, who reminded me of the seven dwarves from the original Snow White tale. The darker take on these companions was fascinating, and I found myself wishing they played a bigger role in the story.

Unfortunately, as I continued reading, I started to lose interest in the direction the story was taking. I had a very hard time enjoying the sections involving Shay's mother. I don't personally enjoy books that focus heavily on addiction (that's just a personal preference), and while I understand why those elements were important to the story, I struggled with how Shay continued to make naive decisions for the sake of a woman she barely knew. I understand wanting to be loved by the person who brought you into the world, but watching her repeatedly hurt the people who genuinely cared about her became frustrating and ultimately made me dislike her as a character.

I also didn't enjoy the role Shay takes on near the end of the book. It felt a little too strange for me to fully get behind. I think this book had a lot of potential, and the author introduced so many compelling ideas, but it felt like too many of them were packed into a single novel, leaving the overall story feeling a bit muddy.

This book also includes a lot of unique terms that I wasn't personally familiar with, which isn't a bad thing. I love learning about new cultures and getting lost in unfamiliar worlds, but I think this book would have benefited from a character list and/or an appendix to help readers keep track of the terminology and cast.

Overall, I wanted to love this story, and there are still parts of it that I genuinely enjoyed, but it just wasn't for me. If you're looking for a unique dark fantasy with a strong focus on motherhood and Moroccan-inspired folklore, I'd still recommend giving this one a try. Just be sure to check the trigger warnings first.

Special thanks to Peachtree Teen for sending me a finished copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author's writing is beautiful, flowery, and heart centered. The writing style feels sweet and compassionate, but there are moments when it channels a fierce feminist rage. I think those were my favorite moments in the book, honestly, and made the anti-patriarchal message of the book land. There is a lot of heart and love in this story, which centers and grounds it. I also appreciate how the author took care to make it very clear that her feminist stance and the "women's magic" metaphor was not gender essentialist. There is a little trans rep to that end. I also enjoyed the bone eaters, night hags, and other various monsters, as well as the quotes referencing some of this to folklore.

Hind is a controversial character, but honestly, I found her to be a very human one. Feeling compassion toward her wasn't hard - it's clear by the end that she was a victim and trying her best with barriers too large for her to overcome. I can understand why she would be triggering to those who have been close to addiction. (Side note - there is really a lot of heavy content in here including murder, violence, death, human trafficking, poverty, and a mention of SA.) Shay's terrible decision making as pertains to her mother was not unbelievable to me, because that's just reality sometimes. Some adult children really will protect an addict parent to that extent if they aren't ready to risk the relationship by setting boundaries. And Shay had no safeguards or instincts built up to protect herself against her mother, having met her at 18 after living a fairly normal and sheltered life.

However, my attention was not held by the whole plot, which just seemed to slow down in parts. I took a long break about halfway though. Parts of the story just lost me, and a lot of the resistance characters just blended together, other than the ones Shay was really close to. I also didn't totally buy the love story. The love interest suffered from "perfect guy" syndrome and didn't feel real to me. The ending also felt a bit rushed. But the writing was lovely enough to make up for some of these flaws. All things considered, this is still a pretty impressive debut novel.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so satisfying it's like one trilogy in one volume. The author controls the character journey so well, from zero to hero and then...

This is a novel that stands out from the norm because when we think, " Ah, it's about this, the author switches the relevance and the focus. It's not about getting away, it's not about saving one person, it's not about living with the ghouls, loving someone specifically. It's not about happy endings to any of the subjects and themes. It's about one character who chooses to do good, the right thing to the very last sentence even when she has no control over how the world and people around her will crush her over and over without mercy.

Brutal, and fairy tale-ish, honest and sad, dreamy and hopeful but full of loss, sacrifice. What stood out to me, apart from the multiple themes explored in this novel, is the richness of Moroccan culture, language, and food. This is a world governed by men, but the entire novel focuses on the women living with the consequences of patriarchal power. The author balances well the invasion of western values into the story, greed, addiction, betrayl also toxicity. Each character can be a representation for ways to stand in society, the midwife Ghita who is quiet, doesn't fight, fears all, and so many of us relate to her, protective but not a warrior, believing if she doesn't rebel or act then nothing bad will come to her. Then we have the biological mother who is also a large part of all of us, unable to fight, a deceiver, and a dictator, playing the enemy's game to save their skin when they are actually doomed.

This is a novel that gives a voice to many women in this world. I am still thinking of the end. I am hugging this copy and will continue to think of this end.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderfully magical read! I discovered The Lustrous Dark through the Reads the World Challenge, and I'm so glad I did. Unfortunately, books like this can be hard to find when bookstores and Amazon are busy pushing the latest BookTok sensations. Hidden gems like this deserve far more attention.

Inspired by a Moroccan folktale, the story imagines a world where men have stolen women's magic. Others have created "snow," a drug that unleashes a woman's magic at a deadly cost. To make matters even worse, the women who still possess even a trace of magic are forced to consume moon peppers to suppress their abilities, slowly poisoning themselves just to survive. It's a fascinating and heartbreaking premise that hooked me from the very beginning.

Shay, a midwife's apprentice, is suddenly thrust into the center of a conflict where multiple factions are fighting for control of this beautiful, fractured land. Beyond the magic, this book explores mother-daughter trauma, political corruption, oppression, and the meaning of found family. There are no easy answers or purely good or evil characters, and I found myself thinking about the many parallels to issues we're facing in our own world today.

For a debut novel, this is incredibly impressive. The world-building is rich, the magic system is unique, and the characters are wonderfully layered. And that ending...it somehow managed to be both hopeful and absolutely devastating at the same time. I closed the book wanting the sequel immediately.

If you enjoy fantasy with intricate world-building, morally gray characters, political oppression, and emotional depth, I highly recommend picking this one up. I'll be eagerly waiting for book two.

[Ashley - The Tattered Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧📖𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖🎧

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐿𝓊𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓈 𝒟𝒶𝓇𝓀 ʙʏ ʟᴏʀᴇᴛᴛᴀ ᴄʜᴇғᴄʜᴀᴏᴜɴɪ

𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs

✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨

ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ʙᴇᴛʀᴀʏᴇᴅ ʙʏ ʜᴇʀ ᴀᴅᴅɪᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇғᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ɪɴ ᴀ ʜᴀᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ғᴏʀᴇsᴛ, ᴀ ᴍɪᴅᴡɪғᴇ’s ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇɴᴛɪᴄᴇ ᴜɴᴄᴏᴠᴇʀs ᴀɴᴄɪᴇɴᴛ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴏɪɴs ᴀ ɢʀᴏᴡɪɴɢ ʀᴇᴠᴏʟᴜᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇɴ ᴡʜᴏ sᴛᴏʟᴇ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ.

𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:

ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀʜᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʟᴄ!

𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝒷𝒶𝓃𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓉… 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓃𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝓈𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇.

ᴛʜɪs ғᴇᴇʟs ʀᴀᴡ, ᴀɴɢʀʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴇᴇᴘʟʏ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ. ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴏʀᴛʜ ᴀғʀɪᴄᴀɴ ғᴏʟᴋʟᴏʀᴇ ɪɴsᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɢɪᴠᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ sᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ʀɪᴄʜ ɪᴅᴇɴᴛɪᴛʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇs ᴏғ ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀʜᴏᴏᴅ, ᴘᴀᴛʀɪᴀʀᴄʜʏ, ᴀᴅᴅɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴄʟᴀɪᴍɪɴɢ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ ᴀᴅᴅ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴡᴇɪɢʜᴛ ʙᴇɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ ᴇʟᴇᴍᴇɴᴛs. ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴀᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ғᴏʀᴇsᴛ ᴀᴛᴍᴏsᴘʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴏɴsᴛʀᴏᴜs ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇs ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ғᴇᴇʟ ᴇᴇʀɪᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍʟɪᴋᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ ᴡᴀʏ.

🎙️𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃:
ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ғᴜʟʟʏ ᴇᴍʙʀᴀᴄᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀɪʀʏᴛᴀʟᴇ-ᴍᴇᴇᴛs-ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇ ᴀᴛᴍᴏsᴘʜᴇʀᴇ. sʜᴀʏ’s ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇs ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴄʟᴇᴀʀʟʏ, ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋᴇʀ sᴄᴇɴᴇs ғᴇᴇʟ ᴠɪᴠɪᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴍᴍᴇʀsɪᴠᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʟᴏsɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ’s ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴄᴏʀᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴇsᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ sʜɪɴᴇs ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴍʏsᴛɪᴄᴀʟ, sᴘɪʀɪᴛ-ʜᴇᴀᴠʏ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛs.

𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:
✨ ɴᴏʀᴛʜ ᴀғʀɪᴄᴀɴ ғᴏʟᴋʟᴏʀᴇ
🌲 ғᴇᴍɪɴɪsᴛ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ
✨ ʜᴀᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ғᴏʀᴇsᴛ
🌲 ᴀɴᴄɪᴇɴᴛ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴɪɴɢ
✨ ʀᴇᴠᴏʟᴜᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴏᴘᴘʀᴇssɪᴏɴ
🌲 ᴍᴏɴsᴛʀᴏᴜs ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇs
✨ ᴄɪɴɴᴀᴍᴏɴ ʀᴏʟʟ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇsᴛ

📖 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒...
✨ ᴍʏᴛʜᴏʟᴏɢʏ-ɪɴsᴘɪʀᴇᴅ ʏᴀ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ
🌲 ғᴇᴍɪɴɪsᴛ ʀᴀɢᴇ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴠᴇs
✨ ᴇᴇʀɪᴇ ғᴀɪʀʏᴛᴀʟᴇ ᴠɪʙᴇs
🌲 ʜᴀᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ ғᴏʀᴇsᴛs
✨ sᴏғᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇsᴛs
🌲 ʀᴇᴠᴏʟᴜᴛɪᴏɴᴀʀʏ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ sᴛᴏʀɪᴇs

𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
ʟʏʀɪᴄᴀʟ, ʜᴀᴜɴᴛɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀғᴜʟ—ᴀ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ғᴇᴇʟs ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴅᴇᴇᴘʟʏ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍʏᴛʜɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ ᴇᴘɪᴄ.

ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ

[Nhat Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published quite recently, and I absolutely loved it!

First, the main character. Shay is a young girl who seems fragile and naive. But as the book develops, she changes. Throughout the story, Shay faces many challenges and difficult decisions, yet she meets them with bravery. Even when she is beaten down again and again, she keeps moving forward, making her such a strong character.

Second, the magic in this book. The descriptive details and worldbuilding were great and definitely brought the whimsy of the story to life. Though at times, the book did get quite scary for me and had me sweating! The creatures especially were terrifying. A warning, though: some of the details are violent. Of course, this depends on what you are comfortable reading.

And third, I loved the messages in this book. I found that parts of the story could be relatable to personal experiences as well as to events happening around the world today. Even though this is a fictional story, many of the problems and difficulties faced in that realm reflect issues that exist in our own world. I appreciate how those themes were addressed.

Overall, this book was fantastic, and if it becomes a series, I would absolutely read it. I have so many unanswered questions!!!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lustrous Dark is definitely a dark fantasy. There is little happiness in the entire book. The main character is constantly being betrayed, lied to, attacked and used for others' nefarious purposes. Sadly, she doesn't learn and is so starved for affection that she convinces herself to repeatedly put herself in unhealthy and even dangerous situations. There is a lot of violence, death, drug abuse, and physical and emotional abuse. The author warns the readers before the story even begins that there will be triggers for some. While the story was good, the characters were likeable, the writing was engaging, I found myself impatient and upset with the FMC's consistent bad choices. Because of the drug abuse and the way it is presented, I would not recommend this book for school aged readers.

I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa M · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC received at the Love Ya'll Book Festival
2.5/5 ⭐
I struggled with this book and wanted to DNF it. I did not connect to any of the characters or to the plot. Since this is based in a culture I am not very familiar with, there were words used throughout the book that I would have liked to have a guide/dictionary for to help with my understanding. If you are looking for something different to read or based on a Moroccan tale, this might be a good option for you, but I was not the target audience for it.

[Athene Z. Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Lustrous Dark, a young midwife’s apprentice rises up to take back the power that’s been stolen from women. Both whimsical fantasy and a grounded take on addiction and strained family bonds, this fresh fairytale retelling is seamlessly woven with Moroccan culture and Islamic tradition. This vibrant tale is a strong debut and strong first installment in a series.

Thank you to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for an e-ARC.