I Am the Devouring Dark

by Kimberly Lynn Hanson

Deep in the Norse woods, a monster hungers…

The Skratti has no memory of who she once was, or what darkness has caused her to lurk in the shadows.

All she knows is her hunger. And human hearts – offered up by pagan villagers in exchange for her protection from invaders – are the only food that can sate her.

But when a thief named Rorik enters the Skratti’s lair, he awakens a long-buried memory. The Skratti had a life before this darkness. And a sister, who is now in grave danger.

Alongside Rorik, the Skratti begins to piece together the secrets of her past, as a dangerous closeness grows between them. The Skratti faces a choice: between her dark hunger for Rorik’s heart, and a fragile chance at love and humanity. A chance to save the sister she remembers, and the place she once called home.

For she is not the only danger in these woods…

Genres: Horror

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 15, 2026

About the author

Kimberly Lynn Hanson writes nature and myth-inspired atmospheric fantasy with dark twists and tragic romance. When not immersed in other worlds, she works as a project manager and enjoys exploring the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with her husband and two furry children, wandering through misty forests and dipping her toes in alpine lakes.

Reviews

[gabbie [semi-ia, new job]]

Horror romantasy from the villain's POV? um yes please (edit: omg yay i got the arc 😌😌)

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for sending me this ARC!

I Am the Devouring Dark follows the Skratti, who is attempting to get her humanity back despite being convinced it will not work. The book is filled with darkness, Norse mythology, betrayal and romance.

I really enjoyed the evolution of the Skratti discovering herself and figuring out how to use the darkness inside of her instead of letting it take control.

The epilogue left it open for a sequel, which was a nice touch. 4 stars.

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best way possible. It took me a little while to get into the story but I was hooked in no time! It was so refreshing to see the FMC take centre stage as the morally grey, powerful character for a change.

I really liked the use of the journal entries woven throughout to slowly add pieces of the past. And a grumpy FMC with a golden retriever MMC who uses humour to cope? Obviously I loved it!

The combination of dark fantasy, horror and mystery made the book feel really unique. The twists and betrayals had my jaw on the floor.

This book is perfect for readers who love dark fantasy with a bit of horror and gore. I would highly recommend!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for the ARC.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally read this genre of book but I’ve been a bit curious lately and I’m not disappointed at all. Fantasy? Romantasy? Horrorromatansy? Don’t know the label but it was a good read! Down with labels! I know it’s become a HUGELY popular scope of genre then has genres within the umbrella of such genres (that made sense to me).

As “horror” had been thrown in with this book I’ll address that off the bat as a horror fan. For those scared of horror this is not it. It’s not really scary as such and the gory moments are no different to killing scenes in a battle or crime book. So if that’s your worry set that aside. Yes it has some dark themes but in my opinion it’s not horror. But as a horror fan I still really liked this one.

Some spoilers from this point on…skip if needs be.

The book is told from the FMC POV and it worked really well. Liv is now the Skratti- a dark creature feared by the local villagers who made a deal with it a long time ago. The pagan villagers give you a human once a year whose heart you need to eat to appease your deep primal hunger and in return you protect the village and its people. Rip that beating heart out.

The Skratti is feared and lives in the dark forest away from all humankind and has the powers to kill anything in its path. It lives wild, friends with the wolf pack and no human will go near it willingly. One day everything changes when a specific sacrifice offered to her doesn’t go to plan. She can’t kill him, she can’t eat his heart but she doesn’t know why. Neither does he. Enter Rorik - our leading MC for the book.

Spoiler bits over.

I loved both characters. When the “monster” meets the human and things start to shift is a well worn path of fiction but it’s not all done well. I thought this was pretty decent. Rorik begins to trigger more of the human part of the Skratti (Liv) to come forth. Much to her confusion. He sees beyond the dark violent monster. It all goes together with a distant past and the book leads eventually to the whys and when’s and how’s. The jigsaw pieces lock in. As the book takes us back at times to the past the reasons for why things are as they are gradually comes to light. The Author does a good job of spreading that over the course of the book amongst what’s happening in the present moment. Breadcrumbs to follow to the truth.

Her painful journey is powerfully written and whilst you want to hate the darkness that lives inside her you end up loving her character even in her darkest most violent moments. Yes there is romance in the book but it’s not eye-rolling slush, it’s there but for someone who is not much of a romance fan at all I thought it worked really well here. It’s not a smooth sail at all for the two of them. Including right up to the end.

When the island is invaded by Christians from over the sea the Skratti soon realises they’ve come for more than converting the pagan villagers to their Christian God. The battle line is drawn. Speaking of battles there is a really good battle scene in this novel that had me totally immersed. The Author is definitely gifted with imagination and expressive storytelling.

SO much more to this book. I found it held my attention. I was invested in the characters and their journey. I was eager to see choices made at critical times. I loved the descriptive elements of how the darkness of the Skratti lives in a human body. I was picturing this darkness as it manifested itself over and over. It’s not a new theme for a monster to have a human side and a battle within be going on but for me this was hugely entertaining and had some depth to it.

There is a scene near the end that was pretty intense and I knew then this standalone novel might leave an opening for a follow up. I was right as by the last few pages I recognised a follow up door was opened and left ajar. I admit I’m excited if there is a follow-up book. I’ll be reading it.

Whether you are into this genre of book or not it’s recommended by me. Sometimes as readers we get locked into a few favourite genres and I think it’s refreshing to explore outside that . This is the second book I requested from NetGalley recently of this ilk and I’ve just got another one so obviously it’s appealing to me.

A solid 4 stars from me. Something different for me and great escapist fiction. My review really only touches on tiny parts of what this book entails.

Many thanks to the publisher Penguin for my ARC via NetGalley.

Thanks so much for taking a little time to read my review. Your likes and comments mean a lot to me. 😻 Feel free to add me as a friend or follow me for more book reviews.

[Nikita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC (electronic advanced reader copy) of this book from NetGalley. I am leaving this review of my own free will.

This book is a good example of going from the child perspective of life being black and white, good and bad to the adult perspective of there being shades of grey. Realizing that life is complicated and people are capable of not doing only good or only bad, but also doing bad things for the right reasons or good things for the wrong reasons. I enjoyed the character development and that the characters were true to themselves even if their truth was painful or morally wrong. There was a twist that I didn’t see coming which is high praise coming from me, It is rare that I don’t see the twists coming. I REALLY liked the ending, the epilogue is well done and leaves you with satisfaction AND curiosity

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
🧸🧸🧸/5
😆/5
🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓/5

Overall rating
⭐️ [1/5] = Either there were several major issues with the building blocks of this books, I DNF (did not finish) it, or I hated it with a fiery passion
⭐️⭐️ [2/5] = There were some major issues with the building blocks of this book but I found something redeemable
⭐️⭐️⭐️ [3/5] = It was alright, there were several minor issues with the building blocks of this book, but I did find enjoyment in it OR I have intensely mixed feelings about the book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [4/5] = It had a few minor issues but otherwise I truly enjoyed it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [5/5] = This book was incredible and it had me on the edge of my seat unable to put it down

Spice rating (Please always read Trigger Warnings before you read a book ❤️)
🌶️ [1/5] = 1 - 2 sex scenes, not explicit, or poorly written
🌶️🌶️ [2/5] = 1 - 2 sex scenes, explicit but may not use explicit words, not necessarily full sex scenes
🌶️🌶️🌶️ [3/5] = Several sex scenes, very explicit & descriptive, uses explicit language
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ [4/5] = Several sex scenes, kinky, could/should have a long TW list
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ [5/5] = The previous description + a lot more sex scenes, extremely explicit & descriptive, has an unusual/fantastical element to it

Emotional rating
🧸 [1/5] = Didn’t really make me feel anything
🧸🧸 [2/5] = I got angry for the characters
🧸🧸🧸 [3/5] = I teared up
🧸🧸🧸🧸 [4/5] = I got emotionally involved with the characters and connected
🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸 [5/5] = Full range of feelings, fully involved with the characters and fully invested

Humor rating
😆 [1/5] = Not funny
😆😆 [2/5] = Smiled at the attempt
😆😆😆 [3/5] = Laughed internally
😆😆😆😆 [4/5] = Snickered to myself
😆😆😆😆😆 [5/5] = So funny that not only did I actually laugh out loud, when I thought about the moment later I then laughed out loud again

Gore rating (Axe-ion packed. Get it?)
🪓 [1/5] = No blood or violence
🪓🪓 [2/5] = Minor injuries, no violence, blood mentioned
🪓🪓🪓 [3/5] = Minor injuries, violence, blood mentioned
🪓🪓🪓🪓 [4/5] = Major injuries, major violence, no death
🪓🪓🪓🪓🪓 [5/5] = Major injuries, major violence, death

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't going to read this.

As much as I loved Sword & Stones, I was very hesitant to pick this one up because when I first heard about it, it sounded like horror with a touch of fantasy. Horror is definitely not my thing.

But because of how much I loved Sword & Stones, I decided to take a risk.

And I am so very glad I did.

I would classify this book as dark fantasy. Really dark fantasy. But it was so good.

The plot follows a Skratti who knows only her hunger. Human hearts, offered by villagers in exchange for protection from invaders, are her only source of food. Then Rorik enters her life and changes everything.

That is all you are getting from me.

Giving more away would spoil the story, and you all know how I feel about spoilers. No spoilers from me... EVER!

What follows is a journey of discovering who you are and examining the things that happen to us that shape who we become. It is gory. It is heartbreaking. It is a little spicy. And it kept me completely invested from beginning to end.

The setting will feel somewhat familiar because it draws heavily from Norse mythology. This is not a massive epic fantasy with pages and pages of world-building. The world is essentially our world, just set long ago, which allows the story and characters to take center stage.

Kimberly Lynn Hanson's writing style is incredibly easy to read. The story pulls you in and makes it difficult to put down. I kept telling myself I would read just one more chapter, and then somehow several chapters had passed.

The characters are what really make this story shine. Their interactions, their motivations, and the reasons behind the choices they make are all handled so well. Every action feels grounded in who they are.

This isn't a sprawling epic fantasy. It is a quieter story, but no less powerful because of it.

And that ending.

Or should I say that epilogue...

Seriously.

If dark fantasy is your thing, you need to read this book.

If dark fantasy is not your thing, I would probably recommend passing on it. While I absolutely loved it, I also recognize that this is not a book that will be for everyone.

For me, though, it was an easy five stars.

[HonestlybookedJulie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I ended up reading it in basically a day because it was such an easy book to fly through. The pacing was strong, the plot kept moving, and it balanced the darker gothic atmosphere with romance really well.

The thing I loved most about this book was the overall vibe. It had this eerie, monstery forest setting that felt very Nordic in its storytelling and mythology, which made it stand out from a lot of other romantasy books I’ve read recently. It actually reminded me quite a bit of One Dark Window and especially Two Twisted Crowns in terms of atmosphere.

I also really liked the female main character because she’s genuinely flawed. She isn’t written as a perfect heroine at all. She’s feared by the village, treated almost like a monster, and the villagers literally give her sacrifices in exchange for protection from the dangers lurking in the forest. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I loved the direction the story took once she finally makes a different choice from what’s expected of her.

The romance worked really well for me too. It felt believable and naturally developed. There’s definitely yearning and slow burn tension there, but it never became frustratingly drawn out. The spice is open door but fairly low spice overall, which suited the story. I thought the relationship progression made sense emotionally.

I also appreciated that she was really the only one with significant power. That made her feel even more isolated and unusual within the story. The magic system itself wasn’t overly complicated or in your face, and I actually think the book benefited from that. The world building wasn’t massive, but it didn’t need to be. It gave enough detail to build the atmosphere without slowing the story down. I also really enjoyed the forgotten memories aspect and some of the twists throughout the second half.

Overall, this was a dark, gothic, atmospheric romantasy with strong pacing, a compelling morally grey heroine, eerie forest vibes, and a romance that actually felt convincing.

I would give this a 4.25/ 4.5 if I could.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a really fun time reading this one!

I was hooked straight away and had a few sessions with it where I struggled to put it down!

I absolutely loved that our FMC was the dark, eerie shadow babe. The way her search for her own humanity developed over the course of the book really helped me to connect with her. I loved her story!

If I'm being honest, I didn't find it spooky/scary. It has eerie vibes and some kinda gruesome pockets but not enough for me to consider this a horror-romantasy.... horromantasy? But I did really enjoy the gothic setting and atmosphere that is developed. The FMC never felt truly mean. If anything she was just going about her skratti business and I never felt like she was actually scary. 😅 Perhaps a prologue where she's pure evil before she tried to discover more about herself would have helped me to understand the depths of her 'darkness'.

The romantic interest in it I did like ... the MMC is sweet but brave and I loved his sense of humour. The dynamics between the pair worked really well. I also liked how despite the romantic interest being important to the story, the book stayed with the FMC and it focused on how she felt and what she wanted.
However someone needs to explain to our MMC the importance of foreplay 🫣 ...for an open door scene in a romantasy book I do think a little bit more of a build up would have made it feel a bit more 'real'. A few kisses then bang bang done made me feel a little bit short changed (I'm surprised she didn't whip her shadows out to finish the job😅😅😅)

The ending was a bit of a slap in the face 😅 As I had already googled to see if this was a standalone and I got told yes, the ending made me a little angry. In a good way though.... WHAT HAPPENS 😳

I think a cheeky MMC POV wouldn't have hurt at the end, just to clarify what actually went down in that last stabby scene. I felt a little confused if I'm honest. And... what the flook happened to Ingrid after everything? I ended up leaving this book with unanswered questions, but I guess it's for the reader to decide.

I'd deffo recommend this as a fun dark read if you're in the mood, because I sailed through it and had fun reading it!

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen! 👏🏽 Where do I send my therapy bill for this one. This book definitely had me go through all the emotions and the gasps and screams I let out as it was closing. I can't even form words to write this review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the chance to arc. My reviews are my own and honest thoughts.

Female rage, vikings lore, skartti, human sacrifice, gore, a wolf pack, a thief, lost memories, a familiar village, a darkness that consumes every part of you, and the emotional rollercoaster you go through as you get attached to the characters. At least I did cause I was cheering our FMC Skartti.

If you are to get your hands on this give it a go cause it truly is good. Just know there is gore and themes that may not be for everyone. Check you triggers.

Our Skartti is a protector of the village of Eskithorpe where they make human sacrifices in a ceremony called Blót. It replenishes her power and feeds the darkness and rage within her. Yet, it changes when the Seeress mentions a human being the key to her memory loss, her past, and who she is as a Skartti. She takes Rorik the human sacrifice and spares him and it is only the beginning of what is to come. Because everything that follows is interconnected.

Rorik I was rooting for you, then I was screaming for you, and finally crying for you. Cause man he truly goes through it. Grimr... I have no words other than hope you had fun at the end. 😂 I cannot say much and risk spoiling, but give this a go if you love viking lore, strong female, a plot heavy book, twists and turns, old gods, epic battles, a romance sub plot and emotional rollercoasters.

[Jay Hier-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy received from NetGalley

I enjoyed I Am the Devouring Dark, especially the FMC and her relationship with the darkness. Her pain, then fear of what she'd become drove her deeper into that darkness, and I really liked the idea that isolation feeds the monster further. The story felt at its strongest when it explored how healing only really begins once you allow other people back into your life — and for me, the MMC became that light for her. The lost memories storyline also helped make their connection feel more meaningful as pieces of the past were uncovered, but the relationship perhaps needed some more on page development

I did occasionally want a little more descriptive detail though in terms of some of the characters themselves and more general world building such as the Norse-inspired mythology because the setting had so much potential. I was also hoping for a more gothic atmosphere overall.

Some of the later plot developments did feel a little abrupt to me, particularly the final battle where character groups seemed to arrive quite suddenly without much setup beforehand. I also would have loved more background to the darkness but that's because I really loved the Shepherd King duology.

Still, the emotional core of the story and the FMC’s battle between darkness and connection kept me invested throughout, and the epilogue set up for a sequel does have me invested to see what happens next!

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

Very interesting premise

Some of the descriptions were abit long winded

The mc was very interesting and I liked that we where learning her history alongside her it added an extra interesting element to the book, however I feel like the mmc didn’t really have much of a personality he felt very bland

The interactions between the characters weren’t written very well they didn’t feel realistic to how people talk to each other

I liked the change of roles from what books usually do with the women being the ‘monster’ and the man being the powerless one it was nice to see for once the women not being the powerless one and being the one with the power in this scenario

The start of the characters relationship just didn’t make sense to me he had only really seen her do monstrous things so I don’t understand why he somehow wanted to sleep with her, even if they knew each other before it just doesn’t make a lot of sense we needed to see more of her ‘human’ side for it to make more sense

The first half of this book was really good but the latter half fell off a lot it became more about making the character human than anything else which left if feeling like every other book

Thank you Netgalley, Michael Joseph and penguin random house for the digital arc

[An Di · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh... I wish this one had been a bit better.

I was looking forward to reading something truly dark, but this was not it.

This story is a horror romance, but there was not a lot of horror and the romance wasn't very convincing either.
There were no clear descriptions of the 'monster', I am sorry, but shadows, black veins and eyes aren't really making me quake in my boots. I so wish the horror elements had been stronger.
The romance was underwhelming. At the start, the romance between the monstrous FMC and the human MMC wasn't really developed. They had practically no meaningful conversations between them, but somehow I am supposed to believe that the MMC is attracted to the monster who has only issued threats to his life? Maybe if there had been a bit of tension, some build up of feelings, I might have bought it. As it stands, it wasn't strong enough.
The writing was fairly ok, pleasant enough, but gosh I wish it had been more gripping.

Thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all thoughts are my own.

[Lotte (themagicalpageturner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was over the moon happy when I got approved for this ARC. The moment I saw the book, it drew me in. And the same happened when I started reading.

The book is written from the Skratti point of view, taking you completely with her in her internal battles and thoughts.

I also loved the beautiful message of the book! How we never ask for darkness in our life, but when we do find ourselves in it, that it's best not to fight but to surrender. I know from experience that this is true!

The book is medium to fast paced, which kept me hooked to the story the whole time. And in my opinion it's very original. I've not read anything like it. It's currently classified as horror, fantasy and romance but I wouldn't say it's horror and it's not as dark as I expected. Just dark fantasy/romantasy would apply.

I loved reading the book and finished it in two days. Especially in the end I just couldn't put it down anymore. Therefore 4,5⭐️

A big thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author Kimberly Lynn Hanson for giving me an opportunity to read and review this ARC!

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up

I absolutely adore the Skratti. The way she grows as a person and how she finds strength in what she is, as well as in love for other people, is absolutely beautiful.
I wish we would've gotten more "evil" Skratti, like how she lived before the events of this book.
For me, books that challenge our concepts of good and evil are so important. Just because you made bad mistakes doesn't mean you're a bad person or you can't redeem yourself. However, doing bad things for a good purpose doesn't always make it right either.
The morality of the characters felt very real and very interesting. I wonder if this book will have a sequel, I would love to read it!

I wouldn't necessarily call this a horror book, even though there is tension. More dark fantasy I guess? I loved seeing different cultures and folklore covered as well. Overall, a read I totally recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mrs.MorallyGrayReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Am the Devouring Dark had such an intriguing premise that immediately called to me. A monster lurking in the woods, the story told from her perspective, and a romance between the creature and the sacrifice she’s meant to claim. It’s a fresh concept that I was excited to dive into.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, and I thought the idea behind it was incredibly compelling. My biggest struggle, however, was with the execution. The writing style didn’t completely click with me, and I found the pacing of both the plot and the romance felt rushed. I wanted more time to settle into the world, build an emotional connection with the characters, and watch the relationship develop naturally.

For me, the story lacked some of the depth and gradual buildup that would have made the romance and emotional moments really impactful. Despite that, I still found the premise unique and enjoyable. I think readers who love monster romance and unconventional love stories may have a great time with this one.

[Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of an advanced reader copy. Thank you penguin and NetGalley for this arc!

When I first came across this book I was intrigued. I normally read dark romance about mafia’s or killers or soemthing along those lines. This intrigued me because while it’s dark it had a horror fantasy element added to it.

I was not disappointed as the more horror aspect of the story bled in, there’s a quote about the Skratti that rattled me as I read. The idea of this darkness taking over and the fight against it and the humanity within her. I enjoyed reading this book from her perspective and even more so the idea of the girl being the “darkness”.

The incorporation of the Norse mythology was also a new topic of reading material for me and I wasn’t disappointed. The authors writing style flowed well enough to keep you in the atmosphere and let you flow through the story. I think I’ll have to try more from this genre or type of book from now on.

[Cat Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be totally honest I struggled to describe this book and settled on a dark Norse mythological romance with horror themes. It follows the story of the Skratti, a shadow filled Monster who offers protection to a village in exchange for the hearts of humans. A story that peels back the layers of the monster, revealing a tragic tale of a scared girl that loses her humanity to darkness until she comes across a sacrifice that she inexplicably cannot kill.

I really liked the way the Skratti evolved through the book, desperately trying to fight the monster within her. I couldn’t help but root for her and Rorick, who triggers the human side of her. All in all this was an addictive read from a new to me author, whose writing style I liked very much.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC of this book, due for release in October.

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨

The title of this book was intriguing and the beginning - literally the first page - pulled me in. I also thought that the FMC being the darkness/villain in the story was refreshing and exciting.

I really enjoyed watching the FMC slowly regain her humanity and then learn to not just coexist with but also harness “the darkness”. Overcoming her own internal struggles as well as the power struggle in general. I also had fun with the internal commentary from the darkness, which reminded me of a certain other book that I loved (if you know you know).

The ending was pleasant and satisfying, the very last line of the epilogue was pretty open and gave me a shiver - and I LOVED it. Overall I had a great time reading this and would definitely read any kind of continuation of this story!

[Amy Ebeid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark dark dark but creepy good!!! A intriguing gothic story with our FMC as a monster. This book is suspenseful right from the first page with a whimpering man and a terrifying woman ready to eat his heart.

"Everything comes alive in the moments before I consume a human heart".

With that statement...I was hooked.

The FMC is trying to find her humanity and this book has such good themes of understanding one's true darkness. There is love and an MMC trying to see what's underneath this darkness as well. I love a shadowy morally grey FMC.

This book has Norse mythology and romance and a touch of horror and gore. I really loved discovering this story!!! Not sure it is a standalone based on the ending?

[E. Soule · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a female monster MC, but the depth of this character and the uniquely layered aspects of the Skratti blew me away! I loved how the author humanized her over the course of the story and managed to make this fearsome, forest-dwelling heart-eater sympathetic and complex. The writing was atmospheric and the prose absolutely beautiful. I read it in a few days, and couldn't stop thinking about it every time I put it down. The love story was satisfying, and the plot had so many twists and turns I did not see coming.

Read this book right now!

[Alexandra Vlaming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed I Am the Devouring Dark, this horror fantasy romance hit all my favorite genres and did it well. Stronger on the fantasy and romance sides, the extreme slow burn romance was satisfying, and experiencing the Skratti recover her memories added additional depth. The writing style is unique, but a good fit for the Skratti and added to the horror like setting.

Overall this was a great read, 4.5 stars, and recommend picking this up if you are looking for something a little darker. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Faye Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb for I Am The Devouring Dark describes it as a "dark and delicious horror romantic fantasy that will sweep you to the dark Norse woods", with comps to Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window and Danielle L. Jensen's A Fate Inked In Blood. The blurb and those comps were accurate for this dark and gory romantasy.

While I enjoyed the plot, there was something about the quite formal writing style that just meant that I found it difficult to get swept away by the story.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Nicole Loos Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM THE DEVOURING DARK is a rich, atmospheric and immersive read that will have you clawing the pages for more. With veins of power and identity, romance, and revenge, I loved everything minute of this dark book. And the VIBES!! Lush, dark forests, deep caves, and thick with magic! I feel so lucky that I got a sneak peek and can't wait for new readers to find this!!

[Maria Tureaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking female rage to an all-consuming level, Hanson's debut, I Am the Devouring Dark, explores loss of identity and the search for self as we lose ourselves to expectation. The Skratti sinks her claws into the very core of what it is to defy "the acceptable feminine," and peels back the layers for those ready to face their fears.

[Kayleighreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read completely consumed me, I enjoyed this dark fantasy. It’s currently 4.35am and I’m falling asleep as I write this, this book was definitely worth the just one more chapter. Such a great read.

[Jess B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and dark tale. A gothic mix of folklore and romance that was very engaging. There were a few moments in the last 1/3 I felt were a touch repetitive but this didn't impact my overall enjoyment of the story too much.

The novel's strength is its atmosphere. Hanson creates a deep, darkness and complexity with her setting that is perfect for a fan of darker stories like me.

It was a good read, and enjoyable for anyone who likes a darker fantasy with romantic elements.

[Olesya Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for a blurb!: A gorgeously dark and decadent Vikings-inspired fairy tale horror romance that will leave your heart aching for the snarky monster girl to win her bloody happily ever after.

I loved it. Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC.