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Regnum Noctis
Beyond the northern border, the Night is not a legend. It moves.
Kingdoms rise and fall beneath familiar laws of power, faith, and blood, but at the edge of the world those laws begin to fail. The Nightward Kingdom has learned to survive by pretending the Night can be held back, by borders, by belief, by kings. It can’t.
As political alliances fracture and succession becomes a weapon, old certainties rot from the inside. Some fight to preserve what remains. Some scheme to control what comes next. Others search the darkness for answers that should have stayed buried.
At the center of it all stands a woman shaped by secrets no kingdom is prepared to face, and a man bound by loyalty to a crown that may not survive the truth.
Kingdoms rise and fall beneath familiar laws of power, faith, and blood, but at the edge of the world those laws begin to fail. The Nightward Kingdom has learned to survive by pretending the Night can be held back, by borders, by belief, by kings. It can’t.
As political alliances fracture and succession becomes a weapon, old certainties rot from the inside. Some fight to preserve what remains. Some scheme to control what comes next. Others search the darkness for answers that should have stayed buried.
At the center of it all stands a woman shaped by secrets no kingdom is prepared to face, and a man bound by loyalty to a crown that may not survive the truth.
- GenresFantasy
ebook
Published January 1, 2026
About the author
N. Condor
4 books22 followersAuthor of dark, character-driven fantasy with a taste for secrets, power, and things best left in the dark.
I’m from Hungary. I love playing video games. I work in corporate, which I don’t enjoy too much.
I have three degrees—literature isn’t one of them ;D. So whatever I write might be a bit rough and matter-of-fact.
It’s the Eastern European way.
If you feel like following me, I’m on TikTok: @n.condor
I’m from Hungary. I love playing video games. I work in corporate, which I don’t enjoy too much.
I have three degrees—literature isn’t one of them ;D. So whatever I write might be a bit rough and matter-of-fact.
It’s the Eastern European way.
If you feel like following me, I’m on TikTok: @n.condor
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 4, 2026
A dark fantasy tale full of intrigue, suspense, twists and turns, and even romance. Skillfully written by N. Condor.
I don't want to give away too much, so let me phrase it this way:
If "A Six of Crows " and "Game of Thrones" had a baby, they'd name it "Regnum Noctis"!
Thank you to N. Condor for the opportunity to read and review this great book. Can't wait for the rest of the series! Highly recommended!
(Many thanks to the author for providing an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review)
I don't want to give away too much, so let me phrase it this way:
If "A Six of Crows " and "Game of Thrones" had a baby, they'd name it "Regnum Noctis"!
Thank you to N. Condor for the opportunity to read and review this great book. Can't wait for the rest of the series! Highly recommended!
(Many thanks to the author for providing an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review)
April 8, 2026
An ambitious first entry in a gritty, dark fantasy world
Looking for a story that blends dark fantasy, romance, political intrigue, and monsters? Regnum Noctis Vol I delivers all that and more in a quick, gritty read.
Most of the story is told through first person POV but occasionally the story shifts to third person narration from the perspective of lesser characters. It was an interesting choice, switching between third person to first person POV from the two MCs, Meino & Helmi, and I understand that those shifts may have been necessary to move the narrative forward briskly, but I think I would have preferred the author had stuck to all first person. That's just my personal preference, others might not mind the mix of perspectives at all.
Meino and Helmi had such fun 'voices,' with Meino possessing of a particularly dry, sardonic tone. The fantasy was highly engaging and moved at a fast pace, with an undercurrent of sexual tension between the two mains that kept me coming back for more. There was also the mystery of the beasts that thrive in the Night lands just beyond the Northward Kingdom. Helmi's hybrid origins, part human and part night-born beast, is a closely guarded secret and a source of both great power & fear. Combine that with the forbidden attraction Meino & Helmi harbor for one another and you're left with a devious tension.
The story is full of political machinations and backstabbing, with the Nightward and Southward kingdoms dependant upon one another for survival when Night descends, yet neither king nor kingdom is willing to trust the other. Even the various houses and lords within the Nightward kingdom can't work together toward a common goal, but instead seem more interested in forwarding the prospects of their own kin over the well-being and survival of the realm. It's a veritable den of vipers and makes for some juicy stuff!
Unfortunately, this book is in need of some significant editing. There are formatting issues (incorrectly placed paragraph breaks and missing line indents), incorrect tense usage (the story is told in the present tense but random sentences will switch to past tense then back again), improper grammar, and missing or misplaced punctuation throughout the entire book. I clocked 33 such errors in just the first three chapters, and they persisted throughout the book. Each one pulled me out of the story and significantly impacted my enjoyment. Had these editing issues not been present this would have easily been a 4 (maybe even a 4.5) star read for me. But as it stands, the version I read (early April 2026) had too many errors to ignore and thus impacted my final rating. I really hate calling out a book for editing problems, but sometimes it must be done. This is a diamond in the rough.
As the first in a planned series there are definitely unresolved issues and a bit of a cliffhanger ending. Despite the plethora of errors I found, I'm invested enough in the story to want to continue; I just hope the next book gets a more thorough editing pass before publication.
Looking for a story that blends dark fantasy, romance, political intrigue, and monsters? Regnum Noctis Vol I delivers all that and more in a quick, gritty read.
Most of the story is told through first person POV but occasionally the story shifts to third person narration from the perspective of lesser characters. It was an interesting choice, switching between third person to first person POV from the two MCs, Meino & Helmi, and I understand that those shifts may have been necessary to move the narrative forward briskly, but I think I would have preferred the author had stuck to all first person. That's just my personal preference, others might not mind the mix of perspectives at all.
Meino and Helmi had such fun 'voices,' with Meino possessing of a particularly dry, sardonic tone. The fantasy was highly engaging and moved at a fast pace, with an undercurrent of sexual tension between the two mains that kept me coming back for more. There was also the mystery of the beasts that thrive in the Night lands just beyond the Northward Kingdom. Helmi's hybrid origins, part human and part night-born beast, is a closely guarded secret and a source of both great power & fear. Combine that with the forbidden attraction Meino & Helmi harbor for one another and you're left with a devious tension.
The story is full of political machinations and backstabbing, with the Nightward and Southward kingdoms dependant upon one another for survival when Night descends, yet neither king nor kingdom is willing to trust the other. Even the various houses and lords within the Nightward kingdom can't work together toward a common goal, but instead seem more interested in forwarding the prospects of their own kin over the well-being and survival of the realm. It's a veritable den of vipers and makes for some juicy stuff!
Unfortunately, this book is in need of some significant editing. There are formatting issues (incorrectly placed paragraph breaks and missing line indents), incorrect tense usage (the story is told in the present tense but random sentences will switch to past tense then back again), improper grammar, and missing or misplaced punctuation throughout the entire book. I clocked 33 such errors in just the first three chapters, and they persisted throughout the book. Each one pulled me out of the story and significantly impacted my enjoyment. Had these editing issues not been present this would have easily been a 4 (maybe even a 4.5) star read for me. But as it stands, the version I read (early April 2026) had too many errors to ignore and thus impacted my final rating. I really hate calling out a book for editing problems, but sometimes it must be done. This is a diamond in the rough.
As the first in a planned series there are definitely unresolved issues and a bit of a cliffhanger ending. Despite the plethora of errors I found, I'm invested enough in the story to want to continue; I just hope the next book gets a more thorough editing pass before publication.
May 2, 2026
Regnum Noctis delivers a gripping mix of political intrigue, forbidden romance, and looming supernatural horror. Set in a fractured world where kingdoms barely hold uneasy peace, the story follows Commander Meino Terren and Princess Helmi, two characters caught between duty and desire as war and something far darker begin to rise.
What stands out most is the atmosphere. The constant sense that “night is coming” creates tension throughout, and the world feels dangerous without being overly complicated. The author does a good job balancing personal conflict with larger stakes, there’s a real feeling that every choice matters.
The relationship between the main characters is a core strength. It adds emotional weight and keeps the story engaging even in slower moments. Readers who enjoy romance woven into epic fantasy will likely appreciate this element.
That said, the book leans more toward character drama than deep world-building. Some aspects of the setting and political system could be explored further, and at times the pacing feels uneven, fast in action scenes, slower in introspective sections.
Overall, Regnum Noctis is a promising start to a dark fantasy series. It’s especially worth picking up if you enjoy stories with moral conflict, forbidden relationships, and a steadily building sense of dread.
Oh and my favourite character is Princess Helmi!
What stands out most is the atmosphere. The constant sense that “night is coming” creates tension throughout, and the world feels dangerous without being overly complicated. The author does a good job balancing personal conflict with larger stakes, there’s a real feeling that every choice matters.
The relationship between the main characters is a core strength. It adds emotional weight and keeps the story engaging even in slower moments. Readers who enjoy romance woven into epic fantasy will likely appreciate this element.
That said, the book leans more toward character drama than deep world-building. Some aspects of the setting and political system could be explored further, and at times the pacing feels uneven, fast in action scenes, slower in introspective sections.
Overall, Regnum Noctis is a promising start to a dark fantasy series. It’s especially worth picking up if you enjoy stories with moral conflict, forbidden relationships, and a steadily building sense of dread.
Oh and my favourite character is Princess Helmi!
May 8, 2026
Great for fans of Game of Thrones!
Fantasy with an easily digestible world. Lots of twists and turns and some spice.
I really enjoyed the battle scenes, they felt really vivid!
Fantasy with an easily digestible world. Lots of twists and turns and some spice.
I really enjoyed the battle scenes, they felt really vivid!
May 11, 2026
N. Condor’s Regnum Noctis was a bit of a random Kindle Unlimited pick for me, and I am very glad I found it. It is a fast, entertaining read with a strong dark fairy-tale feeling (one very much one written for adults, though). There is a princess, and there is a prince, but this is no soft, sugary fairy tale: the princess is a half-human monster whose very existence is wrapped in secrecy, in a world reeking of twisting loyalties, buried claims, and political tension.
The book packs a huge amount of intrigue. There is double-crossing, triple-crossing, shifting alliances, and for much of the novel I was never entirely sure who the good guys were, or whether there even were any truly good guys at all. There is also, wonderfully, still room for a ball somewhere amid all the murders, betrayals, and assassinations. And as if court intrigue were not enough, the story also grows into something larger, with war for the control for various thrones colliding with a monstrous threat from beyond the borders of the kingdom.
The prose is clean and direct, without getting tangled in heavy paragraphs, which makes it very easy to race through. In the end, one should note that this is not world-class literature, but it does not need to be. It is simply a very entertaining story - and sometimes that is exactly what you want. A solid 4.5 stars from me for that kind of book.
The book packs a huge amount of intrigue. There is double-crossing, triple-crossing, shifting alliances, and for much of the novel I was never entirely sure who the good guys were, or whether there even were any truly good guys at all. There is also, wonderfully, still room for a ball somewhere amid all the murders, betrayals, and assassinations. And as if court intrigue were not enough, the story also grows into something larger, with war for the control for various thrones colliding with a monstrous threat from beyond the borders of the kingdom.
The prose is clean and direct, without getting tangled in heavy paragraphs, which makes it very easy to race through. In the end, one should note that this is not world-class literature, but it does not need to be. It is simply a very entertaining story - and sometimes that is exactly what you want. A solid 4.5 stars from me for that kind of book.
May 15, 2026
So there is a lot of world building here in the beginning of the book - there are three distinct lands - and it is bound by north - then lesser north - then the south.
In the north are real bad monsters - the king in the middle north - he mated with one of them - they almost sound like sirens - and often they don't leave this men alive - but once she is pregnant he tells her to get an abortion. Well that didn't happen and the princess is a cross between them. No one knows but the king, the princess, and two other high up officials.
There is a lot of politics and court intrigue - the king of the south - his son is sent north, like a trade - and he loves the princess she loves him. He has no idea what she is.
Eventually, there is a big battle - well the king of the south - kills one son, the other son, the crown prince, (and both other sons would have been a better crown prince) - dies and our main male character is now the crown prince.
We have found family, monsters, death, big battle scenes - this world is so grand.
And at the end we are less two kings, and wondering what is going to happen to the princess etc.
In the north are real bad monsters - the king in the middle north - he mated with one of them - they almost sound like sirens - and often they don't leave this men alive - but once she is pregnant he tells her to get an abortion. Well that didn't happen and the princess is a cross between them. No one knows but the king, the princess, and two other high up officials.
There is a lot of politics and court intrigue - the king of the south - his son is sent north, like a trade - and he loves the princess she loves him. He has no idea what she is.
Eventually, there is a big battle - well the king of the south - kills one son, the other son, the crown prince, (and both other sons would have been a better crown prince) - dies and our main male character is now the crown prince.
We have found family, monsters, death, big battle scenes - this world is so grand.
And at the end we are less two kings, and wondering what is going to happen to the princess etc.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my first review ever, and I’ve only recently started exploring dark fantasy by new authors. I’m really glad I picked this one up. Regnum Noctis delivers exactly what I wanted: moody, atmospheric world-building where night feels alive and dangerous, morally complex characters and court politics. The writing is sharp and pulls you in. The plot moves well, and there is always the feeling that something big and scary waits just beyond the borders. This is the first volume, and it ends in a way that makes me want the next book right now. If you like stories with shadows, power games, and complicated relationships, I think you will enjoy it.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall, it was a good read. This work is full of scheming and people telling half-truths.
The main couple are controversial, and I have a feeling that in the next part, Volume 2, the main character will go insane — or at least turn seriously twisted. It was interesting how the characters kept trying to deny that they were in a fantasy world, denying magic even as it unfolded around them. It should have been longer.
The main couple are controversial, and I have a feeling that in the next part, Volume 2, the main character will go insane — or at least turn seriously twisted. It was interesting how the characters kept trying to deny that they were in a fantasy world, denying magic even as it unfolded around them. It should have been longer.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader of this book. It isn’t loud; it comes across as somewhat cold and restrained, mostly because the characters are narrating events from within themselves rather than dramatizing everything outwardly. It’s hard to form a final opinion, since the story clearly needs its second part, Volume 2, to feel complete. The ending of the first part was quite surprising and promised a lot of background story to be explored later. So, 4 stars.
March 10, 2026
I like this book because it builds a dark and intriguing fantasy world full of tension and mystery. The growing threat from the Land of the Night creates a strong sense of danger, while the conflict between kingdoms keeps the story engaging. The atmosphere feels serious and immersive. The emotional tension between the main characters adds depth and makes the story more personal. This is a compelling fantasy tale with political intrigue, looming darkness, and characters facing difficult choices.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book has clearly been heavily affected by GOT, but it doesn’t spend hundreds of pages building houses or introducing characters — it moves forward solidly. However, it feels like the first act of something longer. By the end, the main character is really losing his shit.
Review of advance copy
This is a fast-moving fantasy with sharp politics and zero patience for endless exposition. The tone feels somewhat similar to Red Rising in its first-person intensity. The ending is very dividing, but overall it was a good read and hopefully it continues.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The story feels calm and introspective, focusing more on the characters’ inner reflections than on outward drama. Since this is only the first volume, it leaves many questions open, but the ending was intriguing and made me curious about what comes next.
May 11, 2026
This is a great dark fantasy to dive into! I really enjoyed reading this, and the cover is EYE CATCHINGGGG! I am someone who loves the dark fantasy (or any fantasy) that has strong political intrigue blended in, because I'm *that* nerd.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The MMc is kind of stoic the FMC is supernatural, the ending is a cliffhanger. I hope there will be a Vol. 2.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Dark, intense, and vividly written, I was completely hooked. Cant wait for the next sequel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nice character work!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The FMC is a hybrid, and the MMC is madly in love with her. They fight for their land and for their love, but in the end they lose each other. The ending is unsettling, almost like a prophecy fulfilled, and it leaves many questions unanswered. I’m hoping there will be a Vol. 2. I’ll definitely continue the series, because emotionally it really stings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews