Mortala: A dark psychological romance

Sotiras Duet #1

by Alair Novak, Tiffany White

Blurb coming soon

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2026

Reviews

[Cannnnn]

Blessed to be able to read this ARC, but it is just not for me. I got about 30 pages in and realized this is not my kind of book. It’s HEAVY on the mental health side, almost immediately. To where i was confused in such a short time. From the other reviews, if these themes are up your alley, I’m sure you will love it.

[Niki Ricci]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mortala is one of those books that gets under your skin and refuses to leave. This is an age-gap dark romance wrapped in psychological trauma, mental illness, obsession, and heartbreak. Don’t go into this one expecting a traditional happily-ever-after—because you won’t find one. Instead, you’re left with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that will have you desperate for the next book.

Sadie has battled the monsters in her mind for as long as she can remember. While everyone else sees her as broken or impossible to understand, Elias has always been the one person who truly sees her. He’s protected her since she was a child, but as she grows into a woman, the lines between protector and something much darker begin to blur.

This book tackles heavy themes, so take the trigger warnings seriously. Trauma and mental illness are central to the story and aren’t softened for the reader. The writing style is unlike anything I’ve read before. Each character has such a distinct voice that there were moments I had to pause and reorient myself to who was speaking—and I actually appreciated that because it made every perspective feel authentic and unforgettable.

If you’re looking for a light romance, this isn’t it. But if you love dark, emotionally intense stories that challenge you, keep you guessing, and leave you emotionally wrecked by the final page, Mortala deserves a spot on your TBR. Just be prepared to need the next book immediately.

[Brittany Furnish]

*****ARC READER REVIEW*****

Morala by Alair Novak was such an addictive read. The story pulls you in right away, the world feels vivid without being confusing, and the characters are easy to care about. It has that perfect mix of drama, emotion, and tension that keeps you turning pages without even noticing the time.

Novak’s writing is super smooth and easy to follow, and the plot never drags. By the end, I was fully invested and honestly didn’t want it to be over. If you like stories that are gripping, emotional, and just plain fun to read, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[The Book Ssirren]

Can you say mind f**k? This was it. It was dark, and climbed into your mind and wreaked havoc. I loved this. It was a wild ride and I couldn’t put this one down. I loved the twists and turns. The way it grabs you and refuses to let you go until it’s finished. Absolutely loved this one.

[Stephanie Vicente]

The tropes had caught my attention and why I picked up this book was because I heard age gap , Dads friend and he falls first. I really enjoyed the psychological part of this story but this book was indeed heavy on the mental health. this is the first book I've read by this author and It did not disappoint. I was drawn in from the start and I could not put this book down. this was an emotional and intense ride but I am so ready for the next book I need to know what happens next.

[Alisha]

This was a great read. It features very heavy topics but I was pulled in by the story and thoroughly invested in what happened next.

I couldn't put this down and absolutely had to see how it ended!

**very thankful to Alair Novak for providing an ARC copy of Mortala**

[Tehmeena]

CONTENT WARNINGS; Please check your triggers! Your Mental Health Matters!

Tropes;
•🖤𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊 𝑷𝑶𝑽𝒔
•❤️𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑷𝒔𝒚𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
•🖤𝑨𝒈𝒆-𝑮𝒂𝒑 / 𝑫𝒂𝒅'𝒔 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅
•❤️𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑰𝒍𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒑
•🖤𝑮𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒚 𝒙 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎
•❤️𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝑴𝑪
•🖤𝑫𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒕, 𝑼𝒏𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 & 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒃𝒚 𝑭𝑴𝑪
•❤️𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒚𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒙 𝑷𝒔𝒚𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉
•🖤𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
•❤️𝑫𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒚'𝒔 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍 / 𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔
•🖤𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
•❤️"𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒆." / "𝑯𝒆'𝒔 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒆."
•🖤𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝑯𝒆𝒓 & 𝑫-𝒆
•❤️𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑩𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈
•🖤𝑯𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 & 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒅
•❤️𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒖𝒎𝒂 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕
•🖤𝑯𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓
•❤️𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝑯𝒊𝒎 𝑺𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑
•🖤𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇-𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓
•❤️𝑵𝑯𝑬

Never stop smiling, Sunshine - chase away my shadows.

The book deals with extremely heavy and dark topics, so please read through the triggers carefully, which are listed at the beginning of this book. This isn't your happy-go-lucky romance. It's riddled with subjects that are sensitive.

He. Is. Mine.
Ours.
Ours.

Their story is heart-wrenching and an emotional rollercoaster that pulls you deeper, wanting to know more dispite how dark and torrentially addictive it is. Albeit a complicated relationship with an age-gap and psychologically dark theme, you can't help but root for them. He makes her feels normal, safe and where she can feel solace in him. Although she fights against the attraction first, she's not afraid to let her sassy and fiery side out. He handles her well, knowing how to navigate around her and how to help her deal with her inner demons. Their devotions gives me fuzzy, warm feelings! I love them as a couple.

Sadie, our FMC, has an incredibly layered and complicated character. She's so intriguing to me! The way her mind works as she's incessantly having to battle with her overwhelming dark thoughts breaks your heart, because she has, and is, struggling with a lot mentally and emotionally. But it's admirable the way she fights through the darkness, showing her tenacity. Her trauma is actually heavy-duty and intense: you get to understand her closely, watching her grow in front of you into a strong, fierce, incredibly flawed and raw, yet beautiful personality. I love how she just does whatever she wants to do and is unapologetically herself. Witnessing the world through her lenses has been an experience for me.

Next we have Elias, our MMC, who is a ferociously protective character, for example, when he trains her how to fight/makes sure she reaches home safe. Awwwww! That's a man right there. He's wears a hard shell but would burn the world for Sadie despite his constant battle of knowing that he shouldn't be falling for her. The way he truly wants and needs to understand her is heart-warming and nothing she does to push him away makes him run off. If anything, it strengthens his resolve to get closer. Albeit he tackles his own demons and PTSD, but he shows resilience and remarkable substance. His character was also intriguing and very layered and every time a layer was removed, you get to see deeper side to him. He's actually quite sweet and caring underneath that ice-cold, tough exterior.

Overall the plotline is devastating, extremely dark and engrossing from start to end, but very well thought out. Also I appreciate how Alair Novak incorporates mental health and brings awareness. It's so well done! Next, the atmosphere is unforgettably emotional, haunting and powerful. There's also some light-hearted moments and banter, believable chemistry between Sadie and Elias along with incredibly written spicy scenes! Tearful moments, complex characters and a shattering cliff-hanger, which I'm still not over.

ﾒ૦ﾒ૦💋

•🖤𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓:✨✨✨✨✨
•❤️𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔:🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
•🖤𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆:🥀🥀🥀🥀
•❤️𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅𝒚:🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
•🖤𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆:🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
•❤️𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒄:❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹
•🖤𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕:💢💢💢💢💢
•❤️𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏:💋💋💋💋
•🖤𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏:🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
•❤️𝑩𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔:🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
•🖤𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆:💔💔💔💔💔
•❤️𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔:💧💧💧💧💧
•🖤𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚:⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
•❤️𝑺𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆 𝑭𝑴𝑪:🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
•🖤𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒔 𝑴𝑴𝑪:🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
•❤️𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆:📝📝📝📝📝
•🖤𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈:⏳⌛⏳⌛⏳
•❤️𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕:🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
•🖤𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈:🌏🌎🌍🌏🌎
•❤️𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅: 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪/𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆.
•🖤𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑺𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒔 𝑫𝒖𝒆𝒕 - 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 1 𝒐𝒇 2.
•❤️𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓: 39 (𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆).
•🖤𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑷𝒔𝒚𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.
•❤️𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅: 31𝒔𝒕 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚, 2026.
•🖤𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅: 𝒀𝒆𝒔.
•❤️𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Alair Novak for an advanced copy of this book. I'm leaving a voluntary review.

[Brita Mackay]

Her Breath

I pick up the pieces. That’s what I’ve always done.
Put them back in order and gluing people's lives together before moving on to the next.
What started with my oldest friend’s son now has me knee deep in a madness I’m not sure I can contain.
She’s unhinged, unchained, and all mine.
Breaking rules and boundaries that are supposed to keep her alive and at my side, but the spawn defies authority at every turn.
Like the sun, she has consumed me. If I’m not careful, if I don’t keep her confined, she will burn us both.

His Sun

I’m drowning. The medication is numbing but the voices are convincing.
Between a life I've fought to keep and a mind I can’t control, I’m not sure I can hold on much longer.
I wish I was still at the cabin, strung up, and left to the elements. At least then I’d serve a purpose.
He’s overbearing but I love him.
Hunting me down when I go astray, following me to the ends of the earth, but I still push.
I would give him everything to say thank you but the one thing I have to give, someone else wants.

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. Some content and scenes in this book may not be suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for readers 18+.

Tropes: Primary romance tropes, Dark Psychological Romance, Possessive/obsessive MMC, Overprotective MMC, Protector × Self-Destructive FMC, Touch Her and Unalive, Us Against the World, Codependent Love, Forced Proximity/Confinement, Captive or Protective Captivity, Crossing Professional or Ethical Boundaries, Mental Illness Representation, Unreliable Perception, Suicidal Ideation/Self-Destructive Thoughts, Rescue and Recovery, Past Captivity, Hidden Value or Secret Within the FMC, External Threat, Sun Imagery/Opposites Symbolism, Defiant FMC × Controlling MMC, He falls hard, She Loves him Despite His Darkness, Love as Salvation and Destruction, Cliffhanger/Duet Structure, Obsessive Possessive MMC, Unhinged FMC, Morally Grey Protector, Caretaker Romance, Mental-Health Struggles, Trauma Bonding, Hunted FMC, “I’ll burn the World to Keep You”

Mortala is the 1st book in the Sotiras Duet, A Dark Psychological Romance by Alair Novak.

Mortala? Once you've put the book down, you'll never manage to forget that one. Give up on all the standard romance clichés – this is a compelling, age-gap dark psychological thriller that delves deeply into trauma, obsession, and mental illness.

Don't look for a 'happily ever after', unless you mean a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that will leave you tearing your hair out as you wait for the next book.

Sadie's mind has always been a battlefield, and although the world never really understood her, Elias always did. He starts as a childhood protector but gradually becomes something much more complicated, continually blurring the boundary between savior and shadow.

He draws both Sadie and you, the reader, into a tense, disturbing dance of power and vulnerability. Novak doesn't shy away from difficult topics and has no intention of softening them. The characters come across as so real and individual that you'll feel as though you're right there with them, trying to work out which side you're on.

If you're after a 'meet cute' and some romantic butterflies, this isn't the book for you. But if you're in the market for a dark and intense story that affects both your mind and your heart, then Mortala should definitely be on your shelf.

Just a warning: when you've finished it, you'll be instantly desperate for the next one. Don't tell me I didn't warn you.

[🖤 alyssa 🩶]

Mortala was an enthralling, dark, and deep dive into the psychological side of the mind, and I devoured every single piece of it 🤍 Sadie’s mind, and Elias’, are dark places that were thoroughly explored and explained in incredible detail. I really liked their differing perspectives, and the writing was exceptionally well done! The plot is relentless, and it’s one you simply can’t look away from 🤍 Their story isn’t an easy one, and it’s gut-wrenchingly emotional at so many points, but they have a pull toward one another that’s impossible for either of them to ignore. And that cliffhanger at the end was absolutely brutal—how could we be left with THAT ending?! 😭

Sadie’s mind fascinated me, and I really enjoyed reading her thoughts, emotions, and seeing more of her personality, dark and painful as they may be 🤍 She goes through countless struggles throughout the book, but she also changes a lot as a character. I was so happy that she was able to find some silence in Elias—to find a little of the kind of relief she’s been searching for. Their relationship is complicated, but I loved her sass and backtalk toward him, which showed just how fiery and feisty she is 🤍 She also felt incredibly human in her thoughts surrounding her parents and the inner conflict she has with each of them. Her character is heartbreaking, deeply layered, and someone I really felt for, but she’s also incredibly strong 🤍 She continues to push forward despite enduring unimaginable things and battling intense, dark thoughts, and that speaks volumes about her strength. I thought her character was wonderfully written, and you truly get an intimate understanding of how her mind works and what she deals with every single day 🤍

Elias is fiercely protective, a total sweetheart beneath his hard exterior, and he cares for Sadie beyond words 🤍 There is nothing he wouldn’t do to make sure she’s safe, and he isn’t deterred by her inner demons or everything she’s been through. Instead, he wants to be there for her and help her through her darkest moments. But he has battles of his own, and I really enjoyed getting to explore his mind as well. His character was layered, complex, and full of depth, and he also had to wrestle with the fact that he was falling for Kace’s daughter… whiiiiich would definitely not end well if Kace ever found out 🫢 Sadie tries to fight the *very* obvious connection between them, but Elias becomes determined to prove that what they share is real, and he does so in sweet, caring, and some spicy ways 🤍 I loved seeing the blips of what a teddy bear he really is beneath that cold, hardened exterior. The ups and downs in their relationship felt realistic, but through it all, his unwavering devotion and care for her never changed 🤍

This was a fantastic dark read that completely pulled me in, and I especially loved the exploration of Sadie’s mind, along with Elias’ as well 🤍 The pacing never lets up and will keep you flipping the pages! Watching everything Sadie and Elias go through is painful, but it’s balanced with heartfelt, emotional, and spicy moments that make their journey all the more compelling. This was such an interesting read, and I absolutely cannot wait to devour Moros when it comes out… which honestly needs to be, like, yesterday!! 🤍

[Tracy Kemp]

PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE GOING INTO THIS BOOK

Mortala is, without question, one of the best books I've read in 2026—and that's saying something.

From the very first chapter, Alair had me completely captivated, and I stayed hooked until the final page. This isn't just a story you read; it's one you experience.

Alair's writing is some of the most vivid and immersive I've ever encountered. Every setting, emotion, and interaction is described with such incredible detail that it felt like I was watching the story unfold in my mind. The atmosphere is haunting, the emotions are raw, and every scene carries weight. The dialogue is another standout. The banter is sharp, witty, and effortlessly entertaining, especially between Sadie and Elias. Their chemistry, tension, and emotional connection made every interaction unforgettable.

Sadie is an extraordinary heroine. Despite everything she's forced to endure, she remains resilient, determined, and undeniably fierce. Watching her fight through her struggles while refusing to let them define her was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Alair handles mental health with remarkable care and authenticity. Sadie's battles feel real, painful, and deeply human rather than sensationalized. The representation is thoughtful, compassionate, and one of the strongest portrayals I've read in this genre.

Elias is equally compelling. Beneath his strength lies profound vulnerability, and his PTSD is written with heartbreaking honesty. His journey, alongside Sadie's, creates a love story that's as emotional as it is intense. Their pain, healing, and unwavering devotion to one another left me emotionally wrecked in the best possible way.

The plot is brilliantly crafted, packed with unexpected twists, shocking revelations, and moments that will leave your heart racing. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, it completely surprised me. I laughed, smiled, cried, gasped, and experienced every emotion imaginable. There were several soul-crushing moments that genuinely brought tears to my eyes, making this one of those rare books that stays with you long after you've finished.

Mortala is dark, emotionally devastating, beautifully written, and utterly unforgettable. If you love dark romance with complex characters, exceptional writing, and a story that refuses to let go, this is an absolute must-read. That said, the trigger warnings are there for a reason, and I strongly encourage everyone to read them before diving in. Your mental health always comes first.

This book completely shattered me, put me back together, and reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place. I cannot recommend Mortala enough. It's an unforgettable masterpiece that has earned a place among my all-time favorite reads.

[Robin Reads a Ton]

Mortala was like Fight Club meets The Exorcist, and that is probably the best way I can describe the experience of reading this book.

One thing I really appreciated was how chaotic the story feels from the beginning. At first, I was hella confused trying to figure out what was happening and how everything connected. However, once you find out why the story is unfolding the way it is, the chaos makes a lot more sense. We aren’t just reading about the inner chaos of the FMC, we’re experiencing it right along with her. When everything finally starts coming together, you can appreciate what the author was doing, and boy, does it get intense.

What didn’t work as well for me were the transitions. The story felt very disjointed at times, especially when it came to the relationship between the FMC and MMC. Although, honestly, I would almost call their relationship the second most important relationship in the book because the main relationship is the one she has with herself and her own mind. Either way, the development between the FMC and MMC didn’t completely work for me. Maybe some of that disconnect was intentional considering the FMC’s mental state, but even understanding that didn’t make the relationship feel any less disjointed while I was reading it.

There were also incomplete and fragmented flashbacks that left me wondering whether I had missed something. Again, I don’t know if that was intentional. Both the FMC and MMC are dealing with their own personal versions of mental hell, so the fragmented storytelling could very well be part of putting us inside that experience. I can appreciate the idea behind that approach while still admitting that it made parts of the story difficult for me to follow.

Then there was that ending. Turbulent is the word. It almost took me completely out of the story because there was so much happening, but it definitely fit the overall chaos and intensity of the book.

In the end, I appreciate the awareness Alair Novak brings to mental health struggles, but I also appreciated the attention given to the people who love someone going through those struggles. Mortala doesn’t just show someone fighting against their own mind. It also explores what it can look like for the people beside them who are trying to love them, fight for them, and hold on while everything around them feels like it’s falling apart.

This wasn’t always an easy or smooth read for me, and some of the storytelling choices didn’t completely land, but once I understood what was happening, I could appreciate the madness behind the method.

[Kimberly Farrell]

Mortala by alair novak

Star rating : ♾️

Spice : 🥵 🥵 🥵 🥵

Crying : 😭😭😭😭😭

First off, I would like to say this is a duet. I know moros by tiffany white is coming. I know I will be blown away at the full ending of this duet. Secondly, anyone to reads my reviews please check your triggers. This is heavily on the mental health and very spot on through how deep and deprived it can occur.

Let's get into it. Mortala follow Sadie Wilson and Elias Sullivan, an age gap romance between solider and the woman who stole his heart along the way. They have a history, he holds her so deep in his heart. I love it. Sadie is a 21 year old badass woman who is trying to make it through the best of her abilities while struggling with the voices, psychosis and a super bad mental health. However, that fight she has, it gets factured. Once a fracture happens. It can fall apart. I know it all to well.

Elias, our moros, as Derek put it to Penelope in criminal minds "you are my God given solace" this man, I would love nothing more than to be Sadie. He is kind, he is patient, he gives the attitude right back to his little sasshole (her). I have cried, I have giggled, I have blushed. This man is a dream 😮‍💨🤌💋

I was audibly laughing "plotting my death like a brat" favorite freaking line because girl same 😂

The spice 👀 had me like 👀😮‍💨 my goodness.

My reviews I love to boost about how much I love the book. LET ME SAY. I LOVE THIS BOOK. Mortala is by far my favorite I have read this year. It also is the one that hit home for me too, I struggle so much with my mental health. With my BPD, it's exhausting and it never fully turns off. The weight of it is exhausting somethings, I understand Sadie on a deeper level. I know how hard it is to love someone with our mental health issues and how hard it is to recieve love from someone you deeply care for with our mental health issues. It's not only hard on us but hard on the people around us. It shows how much alair was able to capture that in such a poetic way. As reader, it see someone bring that alive and see it. It holds so deeply to me, I am beyond grateful for mortala to come to me.

It is devastatingly beautiful and painful story wrapped in love, shame, hatred, humor and everything in-between. This was no doubt in my mind. Beautiful written.

I am 100% going to be recommending this to anyone and everyone.

[Dani-Lynn Harris]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸🩸🩸 - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮

🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Sunshine ‘Sadie’ & ‘Lias

🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕age gap
📕dad’s friend
📕stabby FMC
📕body guard x psychopath
📕grumpy x storm

🖤𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼🖤
“All she wants is to be normal and I think the idea of never being normal is what will destroy her the most.”

“I look at invisible horrors every day and have yet to die of fright.”

“I love this maddening woman, even when her actions are killing both of us.”

🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
“An Absolute Masterclass in Dark Psychological Romance That Has Perfect Mental Health Representation!”

If you love morally gray, obsessive characters and mental health representation in your dark romance, Mortala will completely consume you. The relationship between Sadie and Elias will leave you divided at first glance but you’ll soon develop why they’re actually meant for each other.

*spoilers*
So, this book introduces us to Sunshine. Sunshine is exactly the opposite of her name as she has lived through childhood trauma that other kids didn’t understand. Having creepy things following her. Preventing her from living a normal life like the others. Even as the years went by and they all got older, people still ridicule her and call her a psychopath.

Even going to college was a mission since her parents wanted her to stay close to home in case one of her riders decided to take over her body. Always worried that one day, things would get bad again. It wouldn’t occur to them that the root of the downhill would be caused by one of the bullies around campus. Causing her to get in a physical altercation. That’s when Elias aka ‘Lias comes in because he’s ready to do anything and everything to keep her out of jail.

See, Elias knows about her darkness. About the demons inside of her that her therapist explains is only childhood trauma creating these things in her mind. But Sadie knows better. She’s always known better that they are exactly what she sees them as. And they can become horrendous.

🖤𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵🖤
The plot is beautifully written, there’s a hauntingly poetic tone to it that keeps you engaged throughout the story, and features a cliffhanger that will leave you begging for Moros.

**no AI was used to generate any part of this review**

[storieswithlizzy]

Thank you to Alair Novak for my early copy. As always, this review reflects my honest, unbiased thoughts.

I went into Mortala thinking I had Alair Novak figured out. I’d already survived Babalon and Judas, so I thought I knew the kind of emotional damage I was signing up for.

I was wrong.

This may be a new duet utilizing character from Alair’s previous works but it carved out its own place in the universe. On the surface, it’s everything I love in a dark romance with an age gap, dad’s friend, an obsessed protector, a heroine who’s stabby and completely unforgettable, and enough “f@$k it” energy to keep the pages turning. But beneath all of that is a story about mental health, trauma, survival, and what it means to love someone when the world tells them they’re too much.

As someone who struggles with mental health and trauma and an advocate in the space.This book hit me hard. Not because it glorifies the darkness, but because it refuses to look away from it. It shows the messy, painful reality while still leaving room for connection and healing. That honesty is what made this story stick with me.

Sadie Wilson is chaotic, impulsive, cunning, and impossible to ignore. Elias Sullivan is the kind of red flag who doesn’t just love the easy versions of someone, he loves them in their darkest moments too. Watching him choose Sadie, over and over again, while still accepting her demons was both emotional devastation and beauty.

Alair Novak has a way of writing morally complex characters that challenge you, and Mortala was no exception. I was completely addicted from the first page, and every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it pulled the rug out from under me.

And then…
THAT CLIFFHANGER.
I need Moros. Immediately.

Check the trigger warnings and protect your mental space. This story is heavy from beginning to end but if you’re in the right headspace, it’s absolutely worth the journey.

[Jocylena Beck]

Holy fu*k, can we talk about the mental health representation in this book?! Because the way it was touched on and so carefully orchestrated throughout this story genuinely impressed me. The constant switches between each "alter ego" were incredibly well written. They flowed so naturally that they never took away from the story instead, they built upon it, adding layer after layer of depth, tension, and emotion.
Alair Novak has such a vivid writing style that you don't simply read about the characters and their surroundings, you feel like you're there. You're standing beside them, experiencing the darkness, the uncertainty, and every emotion right along with them.
Sadie, our FMC... I just wanted to wrap her in the biggest hug, hold her tight, and tell her over and over again that she is wanted. That she is loved. My heart absolutely ached for her.
And Elias, our MMC? I was rooting for him the entire damn time, even as he battled demons of his own. He was complicated, emotional, and impossible not to become invested in.
There were so many moments that made me stop and just sit with what I had read:
“What if they are? Maybe heaven and hell don't exist and there's nothing but blackness waiting for us. I don't mean the absence of color or light, either. I mean unfathomable nothingness.”
“She's here, alive, but you know when your gut tells you something’s wrong? Angry, clenched, and refusing to relax deep in your belly? Makes you question everything in front of you? That's exactly how this new version of her has me feeling.”
And honestly, this line:
“Sleep is death without commitment. Relief without guilt.”
Yeah. That one hit.
Mortala was emotional, haunting, vivid, and beautifully layered. The mental health elements, the characters, and the way everything unfolded kept me completely invested from beginning to end.
A well-deserved five stars. Alair Novak, consider me impressed.

[Elle Amarie]

ARC Review: Mortala by Alair Novak
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

⚠️Trigger Warning: PLEASE thoughtfully check your Triggers for this one! It is HEAVY on the Psychological front and the physical harm, both self inflicted and intentional harm to others. Your mental health matters so please take caution before diving into this book.


I am writing this at 2:30 in the morning, which tells you everything you need to know about how Mortala consumed me. It is heavy, terrifying, and awfully tragically real—so much so that I actually had to put it down for a week initially because I was genuinely scared to keep reading. But once I picked it back up? I couldn't stop. I tore through the book in two frantic sittings.

The Mental Health Representation & Vibe:

Alair Novak handles mental health battles with an astonishing level of raw, authentic depth. It is terrifying and beautiful all at once, and as a reader who has dealt with her own MH battles, I deeply appreciate when authors represent these dark psychological struggles with such unflinching realism. The atmosphere is suffocating in the best possible way, pulling you right into the trenches with the characters.

Writing & Structure:

Structurally, the book is wonderfully crafted. The author did a fantastic job with grammar and flow. I didn't spot any editing mistakes that I can recall, and the plot pacing is pretty well done.

Final Verdict:

Nearly a 5-star masterpiece for me! The only tiny knocks are that it got a bit wordy in places and there were some jarring moments about halfway through and right at the end that felt incomplete. Even so, this is a phenomenal, brilliantly executed journey that will stay with me for a long time. I cannot wait for August 31 when Book 2 releases! Definitely add this duology to your radar.

(I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review).

[Lettie Grant]

"I received a complimentary or free Advance Reader Copy. All opinions are my own."

This is the 3rd book that I've read by this author, and the writing style still confuses the heck out of me. I keep going because the content is worth it.

First warning: This book does not have an HEA! It ends on a cliffhanger. This is book one of a duet. A two-author project, interspersing two worlds. To be able to understand the characters and connections within, it is best to read the Shadows of Perdition series by Tiffany White, and then The Lito Duet series by Alair Novak. Names and titles are dropped in both series to tie these together (somewhat). The second book in this particular series will be written by Tiffany White.

Secondly: Elias and Sadie...age gap, PTSD, multiple personality disorder and other mental illnesses, lots of mental health issues, self harm, harm to others, medications and so on. Brush up on your terminology and be prepared.

A lot happens in this book, and from various POVs, including the other personalities that inhabit Sadie (not a spoiler as it is mentioned in The Lito Duet series). Sometimes, it is difficult to determine whose POV you are reading since they are not named specifically, but given nicknames. This is the only reason for the 4-star rating instead of a 5-star. As for the story itself, it is action-packed, and the relationship between Elias and Sadie is explained as well as evolves...and devolves. This is indeed a dark romance, but one helluva psychological rollercoaster. Though I didn't much care for how fast Sadie spiraled downward, I know that this does happen IRL. So, it is what it is.

Did I like the book? Overall, yes.
Do I recommend this book? Yes
Am I looking forward to the next one? Yes. Duh, this one ended on a CLIFFHANGER!!!

[Nikki B.]

Oh My Goodness. I'm not sure where to go from here. This one cut deep.
Mortala is book 1 in the Sotiras Duet. It is a dark, psychological, age gap, romance with very heavy topics. This story is extremely heavy on the mental health side. Of all the books I have ever read, Sadie has to be the first fmc to struggle this badly with her mental health. She struggles with voices and multiple personality disorder. She finds peace and solace in Elias, though he has his own struggles that he's trying to overcome as well. But the way that he sees Sadie and is so accepting of who she is and what she's becoming. His love for her is heart-warming but also, gut wrenching at the same time. Sadie and Elias are both such layered and complex characters, but they fit so well together.
I cannot get over the cliffhanger in this one. It is going to live rent free in my head until we get the book. My heart hurts. This whole book hurt. There is something that is so fragile and tender in loving someone when they can't love themselves. To accept them fully the way Elias accepts Sadie. It's a devastating, heart breaking, gut wrenching type of love.
Alair is a fantastic author. The way she weaves the story is intricate and delicate. Her understanding in mental health and the way it is so fantastically represented here in this story really shows. She's done her research and done it well.
The writing style is unique but addicting. This story is literal perfection to me. Every time I read a book by Alair, it tops the last one. Just when you think her writing has topped perfection and plot can't get any better, a twist comes and knock you back. Alair will always be an auto read/ auto purchase author for me. Her stories are always a masterpiece, always well worth the read, and always addicting. I cannot wait for the release of the next book in the series!

[Christy Davisson]

Emotionally Wrecked & Need Book 2!!

Wow this book was an absolute unputdownable read that truly brings the reader into a realistic form of mental trauma issues that are not glossed over but put out there in the truest forms. I appreciate that the author gives a complete list of TWs and doesn't deviate from them. This is a dark psychological thriller that shows every aspect of a person who suffers from a mental psychosis. So read responsibly here.

You will be put in some dark emotional moments and watch Sadie battle her demons while feeling the tension brewing between her and Elias. While she feels broken inside she can't deny Elias is the only person who seems to understand/see her no matter what state she is in. Sadie has that stabby girl energy and Elias seems to be the only one who truly understands it. Speaking of Elias he's finding himself straddling a very blurry line of obsessed protector to stalker. He has been watching over Sadie since her childhood and as her father's best friend he knows these feelings he has for Sadie as an adult now are teetering on inappropriate but he can't seem to stop them. He knows how to handle Sadie in a way most don't which leads him to become even more obsessed with her. These two have a complex and complicated relationship to say the least. This is not a love story or light it is realistic and dark themed with a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting the next book.

If you love dark psychological thriller romance with a side of dad's best friend/age gap that deep dives into the most realistic mental traumas then you absolutely need to read this one!! Make sure you check TW beforehand because this is a dark gripping storyline that goes heavy on the mental health issues here.

Overall: 5/☆☆☆☆☆
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

[Brandi]

*Please protect your mental health and be sure to read the trigger warnings before starting Mortala. Mortala might not be for you and that is ok. Your mental health matters.*

Oh, sweet Sadie.. My heart absolutely breaks for her and everything she goes through. Sadie is our FMC and there is no way to describe her in a single word. Sadie is strong, hardheaded, raw, a warrior, and so much more. There are times that I found myself lost in her thoughts, trying to figure out where we were in the story. I know that is the reality Sadie felt more often than not.

Elias is introduced as our MMC. He is fiercely protective of Sadie. Something that started as an assignment turned into a twisted love story over time. Elias has his own demons, and he does his best to shut them down to be the strength Sadie needs when she doesn't realize it. Sadie fights him on more than one occasion... literally and figuratively.

Their story is not a typical love story and if you ask Sadie, there is no love for her. The writing style that Alair has when it comes to mental health is so descriptive. There are times in other stories when mental health is represented and if you are someone who has any kind of struggle with mental health you question how they describe things. Reading this story and the breakdown of what Sadie and Elias experience, these feelings are explained better than I could have described on my own.

The ending.. There were multiple things toward the end of the story that I absolutely did not see happening. I am very curious to see how this story continues, and I hope all of the questions I have are answered in book 2.

[Arely]

🖤 TROPES🖤
♡ Age Gap
♡ Dad’s Friend
♡ Grumpy x Storm
♡ Bodyguard x Psychopath
♡ Stabby FMC
♡ He Falls First
♡ Slow Burn
♡ Mental Health Rep
♡ Addiction
♡ Angst
♡ She Watches Him Sleep
♡ Hand Necklaces
♡ College
♡ Daddy’s Girl
♡ Family Trauma

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS ⚠️
Psychosis • Prescription Drug Abuse • Overdose • Violence • Delusions • Hallucinations • Suicidal Ideation & Attempt • Schizophrenia • Eating Disorders • Safe-Word Use • Medical Trauma • Medication Tampering • Emotional Torment • Explicit Sexual Content • Social Isolation • Self-Isolation • Self-Mutilation • Accusations of Grooming

How could we possibly be left with THAT ending?! 😭 Sadie’s mind fascinated me, I loved getting such an intimate look at her thoughts, emotions, struggles, and the darker parts of what she was experiencing. She goes through so much, yet watching her continuously push forward and grow throughout the story made her incredibly strong. I adored the moments where she found a little silence in Elias, and her sass and backtalk toward him really showed the fiery personality underneath everything she was battling. Elias was fiercely protective and such a sweetheart underneath his fake hard ass ‘mask’, and I loved getting to explore his mind while watching his unwavering devotion to Sadie. Once everything started coming together, the chaos made so much more sense, and I loved how the story made us experience Sadie’s inner turmoil alongside her rather than simply watching it from the outside.
.
.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not influenced by receiving an advance copy.

[Suzanne Bruijn]

Thank you so much for the arc opportunity!

I made this review using the peach rating system by Erin Smith.

Plot 5/5:
Wow this story is so good. The plot is never dragging. The story is easy to follow and very nice paced. It is not a light read and you for sure read the trigger warnings before start reading. The plot is so well crafted. This story is full om unexpected twists and other revelations.

Enjoyment 5/5:
I really enjoyed this book. I even stayed up sometimes just because I couldn’t stop reading. I just was all in the story. It took me really for a ride.

Artistry 5/5:
The story is written really well. The story is so good you almost live it yourself when reading. There are for sure some heavy mental health topics and other dark matters.

Characters 5/5
The characters are so good. They are really coming to live for me in this story. It it so great that both write a character. An what for characters.
Sadie is a hardheaded, strong and hard woman. Sadie is lost in her thoughts many times during this book and I felt it that way when reading. I felt so sorry for her.
Elias has is own problems. He is very protective over Sadie. At first this is an assignement but it becomes a real love. He is trying to forget his problems so he can be the strength Sadie needs. They doesn’t have a sweet happy love story.

Heart 5/5:
This book has me devastated and ruined but it also build me up at the end. This story is phenomenal. I for sure will not forget this book soon. I can’t wait for the second part of this duet.

[Athena, the goddess of books]

Oh, this one was something else entirely and left me asking: what the hell did I just read?

Everything in the book revolves around Sadie, who lives with severe psychosis and schizophrenia, constantly struggling to distinguish reality from the hallucinations and personalities that inhabit her mind. Can the reader trust what she sees, hears, and remembers? The story is deliberately written so that you experience the world the way she does, where every hallucination feels real, every voice has a purpose, and reality is constantly shifting. Just when I thought I had finally figured out what was happening, the last few chapters completely changed my perspective.

I loved watching Elias love Sadie and continue to support her, even during her darkest and most difficult moments. One of my favorite parts of the book was their relationship. I loved that Elias chose to stand by her side, no matter what other people thought of their dynamic or how they judged him.

I was left feeling a little lost by the ending, but I suppose that's exactly what the author intended. Hopefully, the next installment will answer at least some of the many questions I still have.

Be sure to check the trigger warnings before picking this one up, because this is definitely not a book for everyone.

Thank you, BookSirens, for the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Paige Ridler]

Fuck. Is that an acceptable reaction? I love Alair’s books and I feel prepared everytime then she hits me with a wrecking ball and I am in fact not prepared for the emotional damage.

This was such a good read and I really love the representation of some diagnosis that aren’t seen often (or at least in the books I’ve read).

Do you ever get to the end of a book and go well shit. Sit there for a while contemplating life and why you would ever pick up an unfinished duology? Well that was me. Would I do it again? Yes. Do I feel like that gif of the cat biting at the enclosure while I wait for book two? Yes!

Anyway back to the book itself, Sadie (our FMC) has been battling and is still battling her demons which are slowly chipping away at her. Our MMC, Elias, he has been protecting her for the past several years and continues to do so while he battles with his own demons. As she grows into a woman those lines begin to blur between protector and something much more possessive, need driven and dark.

This is highly mental health conscious and full of triggers, including the absolutely shocking cliffhanger, with this being said please protect yourself and check the triggers before adventuring further.

Tropes:
🥃Stabby FMC
💊Dads Friend
🥃Age Gap
💊Mental Health Rep
🥃Fuck It Moment
💊Cliffhanger

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/out of 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/out of 5

[Erin]

“All she wants is to be normal and I think the idea of never being normal is what will destroy her the most.”

Psychologically dark, violent and twisted story! Definitely not a story for the faint of heart and those that are easily triggered by extreme mental health issues. Mortala is a gut punch of emotional turmoil, drama, violence, gore, madness, and utter heartbreak. Hang on tight, because this is one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride from beginning to end.

Sadie and Elias take us on a very dark and heavy journey through Sadie’s intense manic episodes all while trying to find love in the midst of all the trauma they both endure. The inner demons they both battle on a daily basis will shock you, make your jaw drop and shed a tear or two. In all of the chaos, all Elias wants to do is protect Sadie from herself and her demons and it’s definitely an intense battle of will, violence and one hell of a power struggle.

This is definitely a story that you need to be mentally ready to dive into because it’s extremely heavy, light on romance and has a cliffhanger ending that will leave you gasping for breath.

I loved every heartbreaking moment of it and need to know what’s going to happen now.

“I love this maddening woman, even when her actions are killing both of us.”

[InkedSirenXO]

Her Breath. His Sun. My complete emotional destruction.

This book was DARK, twisted, intense, and completely impossible to put down. The chemistry between these two was absolutely 🔥, but it was the emotional depth and psychological intensity that really hooked me.

She’s battling a mind that won’t give her peace, while he’s determined to keep her safe, even when she fights him every step of the way. Their relationship is messy, obsessive, possessive, and completely consuming. He’s overbearing in the best dark-romance way, and she is beautifully unhinged. Together? Absolute chaos.

I loved the way the story explored survival, trauma, obsession, and the complicated ways people can become each other’s lifeline. There were moments that had my heart breaking, moments that had me screaming at the characters, and plenty that had me needing to fan myself.

This is definitely not a fluffy romance. It’s dark, gritty, emotionally heavy, and filled with the kind of morally gray, obsessive energy I LIVE for.

Five stars from me!
If you love dark romance, possessive heroes, unhinged heroines, psychological angst, and a romance that will drag you straight into the darkness, add this one to your TBR.

[Sandra]

Oh WOW, this author certainly understands mental health, how it not only affects the person themselves going through a psychotic break but also those that love them, as well as how psychosis can manifest itself and the trauma it can bring physically, emotionally, and most importantly, mentally. To see our loved ones become a ghost in front of our eyes, and try as we might, sometimes we can't reach them in time. How mental health services and care for those going through it can be like winning the lottery ticket: More chances of the services not being there, or the services not truly understanding the break and the demons plaguing them.

All I can say is my heart truly went out to Sadie, the troubles she is dealing with, and how she has tried to cope with them, and how easy they can be for them to break into a psychosis episode. Also, how Elias, over the years, has fallen for this woman, wanting to be there for her initially, but then, over time, as she has grown into a woman, those feelings have deepened into love. But sometimes love is not enough to reach those we love. All we can do is hold on to the hope that our loved one comes back once the episode has stopped.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Aleksandra]

Mortala by Alair Novak is a dark psychological romance that completely pulled me in and refused to let go. With a gripping storyline, intense emotions, and characters that feel vividly real, this book delivers the perfect blend of darkness, tension, heartbreak, and unexpected moments of humor.
Sadie is a fierce, complicated heroine whose strength shines through despite everything she battles, and Lias is the kind of intense, protective hero who keeps you questioning where devotion ends and obsession begins. Their chemistry, banter, and emotional connection were absolutely addictive. Novak’s detailed writing brings the characters’ struggles and the world around them to life, making every scene feel like it’s playing out right in front of you.
A beautifully written, haunting, and captivating read that had me laughing, crying, and completely invested until the very last page. Perfect for fans of dark romance who love morally complex characters and a story that gets under your skin.
Final verdict: A powerful, unforgettable dark romance that deserves every one of its 5 stars.

[Adeselna]

“Mortala” the first book from the Sotiras Duet, accompanies Sadie through her journey to self-destruction fueled by her psychosis.

It is a very heartbreaking first book, but it is important to see how Sadie’s hit rock bottom, and how Elias, although he’s doing everything he can to save her, he recognises they’re not great for each other. They both struggle mentally with issues they have. Sadie’s medication is incredibly important, and we witness episodes where her mental health is at its lowest.

It is painful to be a spectator of someone having multiple crises, and this book is just that, the right blend of heart-wrenching pain with so much sorrow. Also watching Elias doing his best and failing, it’s a warning that as much as you love the other person, sometimes when they’re on the path of self-destruction, there is very little you can do.

Overall, “Mortala” is a love letter to mental health, Alair never shies away from heavy themes, and she takes the first book of the duet to a whole new level with Sadie. It is intense, complex, and extremely emotional. The plot is Sadie’s struggle, and if she’ll be able to save herself. Please read the TW, this book absolutely needs you to!

[Clarity]

*** ARC Review *** This is the first book in a duet that leaves you with a cliff hanger.

The story follows Sadie as she battles her way through her childhood trauma and mental health challenges. Check your triggers because this won’t be an easy read for everyone. While Sadie is the main character she has “riders” in her mind that only she can see. They hijack her reality and take control at time locking her down. Sadie lives in a constant battle between reality and her riders and lives on the edge of is this life worth living.

Elias is her father’s friend, a wartime veteran, who rescued her as a teenager, who loves her and her demons. He is determined to show her what love is and that life is worth it.

But it’s not so easy for “love to conquer” all when one person is fighting a battle in their mind only they can see or hear. And the other gets stuck across enemy lines with PTSD. Every page of this book tackles mental health representation and takes you through their own personal hells as they try to come out the other end. But the demons in Sadie’s mind don’t play fair…….