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Dawns Embrace
Not yet published
Expected 1 Nov 26Some lies are so perfect, you'll beg to believe them.
Nyx escaped the palace dungeons alive—but the collar at her throat still binds her wolf, and freedom has come with consequences she doesn't yet understand.
An usurper now sits on the throne. The portals are open. The Fae have crossed over.
The only force powerful enough to stop them may be the dragons of Pyrrathys—ancient enemies of the Fae who do not answer pleas for help lightly.
But to reach them, Nyx must travel through a land where forests whisper lies, where fields fracture reality, and truth slips through your fingers when you try to hold it too tightly.
But something is wrong.
A fog presses at the edges of her thoughts. Questions vanish before she can voice them. Details refuse to align.
And when she sleeps, a familiar voice begs her for help.
Warnings come in whispers. Shadows wear familiar faces. The line between ally and enemy begins to dissolve.
The greatest danger may not be waiting ahead—it may be walking beside her.
Because sometimes the real monster isn't the one everyone fears.
A dark, twisty wolf shifter romance where nothing is as it seems and the truth is buried under layers of deception. Perfect for readers who love slow-burn revelations, morally complex characters, and plot twists that shatter everything.
Nyx escaped the palace dungeons alive—but the collar at her throat still binds her wolf, and freedom has come with consequences she doesn't yet understand.
An usurper now sits on the throne. The portals are open. The Fae have crossed over.
The only force powerful enough to stop them may be the dragons of Pyrrathys—ancient enemies of the Fae who do not answer pleas for help lightly.
But to reach them, Nyx must travel through a land where forests whisper lies, where fields fracture reality, and truth slips through your fingers when you try to hold it too tightly.
But something is wrong.
A fog presses at the edges of her thoughts. Questions vanish before she can voice them. Details refuse to align.
And when she sleeps, a familiar voice begs her for help.
Warnings come in whispers. Shadows wear familiar faces. The line between ally and enemy begins to dissolve.
The greatest danger may not be waiting ahead—it may be walking beside her.
Because sometimes the real monster isn't the one everyone fears.
A dark, twisty wolf shifter romance where nothing is as it seems and the truth is buried under layers of deception. Perfect for readers who love slow-burn revelations, morally complex characters, and plot twists that shatter everything.
- GenresShapeshiftersSpicy
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nyx girl, can you catch a break for once? Because at this point, I feel like every time she turns around there’s something else waiting to ruin her day.
I was curious to see where things would go after Shedding Starlight and this book definitely gave me more to think about. Between Nyx, Talon, Lila and Solis, I had a lot of questions about certain people and their intentions. I wasn’t sure who to trust and I kept changing my mind as more things came to light. Clearly, trusting my own judgment was not the move here.
I also liked getting to learn more about the world and its history. There’s so much going on with the dragons, fae, and witches that I’m curious to see how everything will come together. Some of the revelations caught me off guard and had me looking at things differently. My only issue is that some parts felt a little slow and I would’ve liked more time with the side characters. But overall, I was still invested in what was happening and wanted to know how things would turn out.
Final thoughts: I had a good time with this one! It wasn’t perfect for me, but there’s enough here to keep me interested in the series. And after everything Nyx has been through, I’m both curious and a little scared to see what’s waiting for her next. This girl needs a break, but knowing how these books go, I’m not holding my breath.
I was curious to see where things would go after Shedding Starlight and this book definitely gave me more to think about. Between Nyx, Talon, Lila and Solis, I had a lot of questions about certain people and their intentions. I wasn’t sure who to trust and I kept changing my mind as more things came to light. Clearly, trusting my own judgment was not the move here.
I also liked getting to learn more about the world and its history. There’s so much going on with the dragons, fae, and witches that I’m curious to see how everything will come together. Some of the revelations caught me off guard and had me looking at things differently. My only issue is that some parts felt a little slow and I would’ve liked more time with the side characters. But overall, I was still invested in what was happening and wanted to know how things would turn out.
Final thoughts: I had a good time with this one! It wasn’t perfect for me, but there’s enough here to keep me interested in the series. And after everything Nyx has been through, I’m both curious and a little scared to see what’s waiting for her next. This girl needs a break, but knowing how these books go, I’m not holding my breath.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dawn’s Embrace by K.R. Blackwood was such an interesting read because there was always something underneath the surface that I wanted to figure out. The story had this feeling that not everything was quite what it seemed, and I loved trying to piece things together as I went.
What really worked for me was that the romance wasn’t the only thing carrying the story. There was an actual plot happening around the characters, and I found myself just as interested in what was going on in the world as I was in the relationships.
There were definitely characters I wanted to shake a few times and decisions that had me questioning EVERYTHING, but that honestly made me more invested.
I also appreciated that I wasn’t able to immediately predict every little thing that was going to happen. I had my theories…and some of them were very wrong.
Fantasy, romance, secrets, questionable decisions, and enough going on to keep my brain working the entire time. Definitely one I’m glad I read!
What really worked for me was that the romance wasn’t the only thing carrying the story. There was an actual plot happening around the characters, and I found myself just as interested in what was going on in the world as I was in the relationships.
There were definitely characters I wanted to shake a few times and decisions that had me questioning EVERYTHING, but that honestly made me more invested.
I also appreciated that I wasn’t able to immediately predict every little thing that was going to happen. I had my theories…and some of them were very wrong.
Fantasy, romance, secrets, questionable decisions, and enough going on to keep my brain working the entire time. Definitely one I’m glad I read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy from Author
I loved book one, I couldn’t wait to read this one. Book 2 did not disappoint, the adventure and continued trials kept me hooked. All the things I thought I knew were wrong, the things I anticipated happening were set completely off track and something bigger happened. It was hard to put this one down, I need book 3 ASAP. Some questions are answered only to be replaced by more that are not given in this book. You will end with wanting more. Highly recommend, this easily would be a series to re-read.
I did however inherit trust issues from Nyx in this book. You can’t trust everyone.
🖤 Lovers to hatred/ Hatred to lovers
🖤 Betrayal
🖤 A little spice
🖤 Witches, wolves, dragons, and fae
I loved book one, I couldn’t wait to read this one. Book 2 did not disappoint, the adventure and continued trials kept me hooked. All the things I thought I knew were wrong, the things I anticipated happening were set completely off track and something bigger happened. It was hard to put this one down, I need book 3 ASAP. Some questions are answered only to be replaced by more that are not given in this book. You will end with wanting more. Highly recommend, this easily would be a series to re-read.
I did however inherit trust issues from Nyx in this book. You can’t trust everyone.
🖤 Lovers to hatred/ Hatred to lovers
🖤 Betrayal
🖤 A little spice
🖤 Witches, wolves, dragons, and fae
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.
Dawns Embrace is the 2nd book in K.R. Blackwood's Howl of the Ancients series & while it didn't have the same twists as book 1, it still had me doubting and questioning what was happening and I was totally engrossed in it. There are plenty of reveals in this book and what made it intriguing was expecting something only for it not to happen, then suddenly it does. This is well written, a good pace and smooth flow and my opinion of certain characters has totally flipped since book 1. I'm almost reluctant to say I've decided who I like and who I don't like in case book 3 pulls the rug out from under me, again.
Dawns Embrace is the 2nd book in K.R. Blackwood's Howl of the Ancients series & while it didn't have the same twists as book 1, it still had me doubting and questioning what was happening and I was totally engrossed in it. There are plenty of reveals in this book and what made it intriguing was expecting something only for it not to happen, then suddenly it does. This is well written, a good pace and smooth flow and my opinion of certain characters has totally flipped since book 1. I'm almost reluctant to say I've decided who I like and who I don't like in case book 3 pulls the rug out from under me, again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5
1/5🌶
This is one where i think book 2 was better than book 1. And i LOVED book 1!! We get to go on an adventure, meet some dragons, get some answers and then get more questions! I loved the dream scenes and could have read so much more about those! The twists and turns, the betrayal and that ending!! Now the long wait for book 3! This was a golden book and i can see myself re-reading this many times over!
1/5🌶
This is one where i think book 2 was better than book 1. And i LOVED book 1!! We get to go on an adventure, meet some dragons, get some answers and then get more questions! I loved the dream scenes and could have read so much more about those! The twists and turns, the betrayal and that ending!! Now the long wait for book 3! This was a golden book and i can see myself re-reading this many times over!
Review of advance copy received from Author
**𝓝𝓞 𝓢𝓟𝓞𝓘𝓛𝓔𝓡𝓢**
⚜️𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- Dawns Embrace
𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐢𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐬 𝐢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.
⚜️ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
* 📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 / 5
* 🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 MF 🌶🌶 / 5 -𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
* Which books have I also given this same rating? (𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛)
5⭐️ Fourth wing / Bound by inked flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of silver and Curses
4.5⭐️ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain so Bloody
4⭐️ Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird
3⭐️We Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex
⚜️𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
* Genre- Fantasy romance
* 📖 594 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
* 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 solo 𝗣𝗢𝗩
* 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲- November 1, 2026i
* 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? 𝒜 ℳ𝒾𝓍
* 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼- book 2
* 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈
* 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲- 𝓂ℯ𝒹𝒾𝓊𝓂
* 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈, ℐ 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓇ℯ𝓂ℯ𝓂𝒷ℯ𝓇 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉ℯ𝓇𝓈, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒾’𝓂 𝓃ℴ𝓉 𝓈𝓊𝓇ℯ 𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓇ℯ𝓂ℯ𝓂𝒷ℯ𝓇 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓅𝓁ℴ𝓉.
* 𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝒾 ℯ𝓃𝒿ℴ𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈?✅
* 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓃ℯ𝓍𝓉 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈ℯ𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓈?✅
* 𝒲ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 ℯ𝓁𝓈ℯ 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓇?✅
⚜️𝕊ℙ𝔼ℂ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝕀ℕ 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕐:
🧙♀️𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰
🧝♀️𝔽𝕒𝕖
🌕𝑊ℴ𝓁𝒻 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
✨𝔇𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫 S҉ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
⚜️𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤:
🗡 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙃𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙
👩❤️👨𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜
🔺 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
⚜️𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
😈𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 & 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕒𝕝𝕤
🔮𝔓𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔥𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔐𝔶𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰
🪧Pᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ Iɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ
👑𝓡𝓸𝔂𝓪𝓵 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓾𝓮
⚜️ℋℯ𝒾𝓇 𝓉ℴ 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓉𝒽𝓇ℴ𝓃ℯ
🧸𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦
🤩Epic Side Characters
🧩𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
🧨𝕊𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕪 𝔽𝕄ℂ
🥊 Revenge
⏳𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
⌚𝔸-𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖
📝Cliff Notes Review-
I enjoyed Dawn’s Embrace even more than book one. The world grows bigger, the mythology becomes richer and the plot is packed with secrets, betrayals and layered mysteries that kept me completely hooked. I loved meeting the new side characters, and the introduction of dragon shifters has me ridiculously excited for the next book. The love triangle is still brilliantly written because I genuinely don’t know who I’m rooting for, although I would’ve liked a little more emotional connection alongside the spicy scenes. A few continuity issues and missing explanations still pulled me out of the story occasionally, but overall this was a stronger sequel that left me desperate to continue the series.
🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
After enjoying Shedding Starlight, I was looking forward to continuing the series, and I’m happy to say that I enjoyed this one even more. What impressed me most was how much stronger and more confident the writing felt compared with Shedding Starlight. The descriptions feel richer without becoming heavy, and the history and lore are woven naturally into the story rather than simply delivered in large blocks of information. The overall plot feels richer, the mysteries deepen, the world expands well and there are so many more layers of intrigue woven throughout the story. It definitely feels like the series is finding its stride.
There is also a noticeable shift in tone between the books. Shedding Starlight often felt like a supernatural coming-of-age story shaped by academy drama, whereas Dawn’s Embrace feels harsher, darker and more focused on survival. Nyx is beginning to understand the scale of the power surrounding her and, more importantly, the power potentially waiting inside her.
Another favourite part of this book was how much larger the world suddenly became. Book one introduced the world, but Dawn’s Embrace feels like the moment the series truly opens up. This one moves away from the school and out into the wider world. We aren’t simply following the same story from book one anymore. New characters, new secrets, new factions and even more history are introduced, making the world feel far more alive. I loved learning more about the mythology, history and the wider supernatural world, and I’m especially excited by the introduction of the dragon shifters.
Speaking of- The mythology and lore continue to be one of this series’ biggest strengths. And how dare this book make me feel sympathy for characters I had already decided I didn’t trust? I finished the book with more theories than answers and absolutely no confidence in my ability to identify who is manipulating whom. Every answer seems to uncover two more questions, Several times I found myself questioning my own judgement, and I constantly found myself trying to piece together who could actually be trusted and what everyone’s true motivations were. I was starting to wonder whether the people I had labelled as villains were quite as simple as they first appeared. The betrayals, secrets and hidden agendas kept me engaged throughout, and I found myself theorising constantly.
For once, I did actually managed to predict one of the major reveals. Anyone who knows my reviews knows that’s incredibly rare because I’m usually completely blindsided by plot twists. Looking back, the breadcrumbs were definitely there, and while I was pleased with myself for spotting them, I don’t think it took away from my enjoyment because there were still plenty of surprises waiting afterwards and I couldn’t work out the motives which were really important.
The author did an excellent job placing me inside Nyx’s confusion. I felt lost in the fog alongside her, constantly questioning what might be hiding beneath the surface. The tone is darker, the danger feels more immediate and Nyx is no longer simply trying to understand her place within the school and pack hierarchy. She is fighting through physical pain, emotional torment, ancient magic and revelations that could completely alter everything she believes about herself.
The tension between the characters is incredibly well written. There were multiple scenes that had my heart racing because the emotional push and pull is so strong. The longing, uncertainty and constant conflict between loyalty, attraction and destiny create some fantastic moments. I especially loved meeting the new side characters. Much like the first book, they never feel like background extras, and several of them completely stole scenes whenever they appeared.
The chemistry within the love triangle continues to be one of the strongest aspects of the series. I genuinely still don’t know who I’m rooting for, which I actually think is a compliment to the author. I can completely understand both sides, and if anything, I found myself leaning in a different direction than I think the story wants me to. That’s made the emotional tension even more interesting because there isn’t an obvious “correct” choice from my perspective.
The spice definitely increases in this instalment, and while the scenes themselves are passionate and well written, I did find myself wishing there was slightly more emotional intimacy surrounding them. There was plenty of physical chemistry, but I still wanted more conversations, quieter moments and relationship building that would deepen whichever romance ultimately develops.
If book three delivers on everything that’s now been set up, I think this series has the potential to become something really special, and I honestly can’t wait to dive straight into the next instalment.
😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
Unfortunately, some of the same issues I mentioned in my review of book one are still present here. There are occasional continuity issues and small gaps where scenes or explanations feel as though they’re missing. There are still a few repeated ideas and moments where the wording feels slightly overworked, but the improvement between the two books is impossible to ignore. Every now and then I’d find myself pausing to ask, “Wait… what happened there?” before the story had already moved on. They’re rarely enough to ruin the experience, but they do interrupt the flow just enough to stop this becoming a five-star read for me.
🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Overall though, this was a very enjoyable sequel. The plot is more layered, the mysteries are stronger, the supporting cast continue to shine and the world keeps expanding in exciting ways. While I still found myself wanting a little more clarity and smoother continuity in places, I finished the book even more invested than I was after book one.
𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;
𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
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𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF
⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action
🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more
⚜️𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- Dawns Embrace
𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐢𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐬 𝐢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.
⚜️ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
* 📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 / 5
* 🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 MF 🌶🌶 / 5 -𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
* Which books have I also given this same rating? (𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛)
5⭐️ Fourth wing / Bound by inked flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of silver and Curses
4.5⭐️ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain so Bloody
4⭐️ Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird
3⭐️We Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex
⚜️𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
* Genre- Fantasy romance
* 📖 594 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
* 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 solo 𝗣𝗢𝗩
* 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲- November 1, 2026i
* 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? 𝒜 ℳ𝒾𝓍
* 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼- book 2
* 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈
* 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲- 𝓂ℯ𝒹𝒾𝓊𝓂
* 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? ✅𝒴ℯ𝓈, ℐ 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓇ℯ𝓂ℯ𝓂𝒷ℯ𝓇 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉ℯ𝓇𝓈, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒾’𝓂 𝓃ℴ𝓉 𝓈𝓊𝓇ℯ 𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓇ℯ𝓂ℯ𝓂𝒷ℯ𝓇 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓅𝓁ℴ𝓉.
* 𝒟𝒾𝒹 𝒾 ℯ𝓃𝒿ℴ𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈?✅
* 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓃ℯ𝓍𝓉 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈ℯ𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓈?✅
* 𝒲ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒾 𝓇ℯ𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 ℯ𝓁𝓈ℯ 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽ℴ𝓇?✅
⚜️𝕊ℙ𝔼ℂ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝕀ℕ 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕐:
🧙♀️𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰
🧝♀️𝔽𝕒𝕖
🌕𝑊ℴ𝓁𝒻 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
✨𝔇𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔬𝔫 S҉ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
⚜️𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤:
🗡 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙃𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙
👩❤️👨𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜
🔺 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
⚜️𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
😈𝕊𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 & 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕒𝕝𝕤
🔮𝔓𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔥𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔐𝔶𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰
🪧Pᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ Iɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ
👑𝓡𝓸𝔂𝓪𝓵 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓾𝓮
⚜️ℋℯ𝒾𝓇 𝓉ℴ 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓉𝒽𝓇ℴ𝓃ℯ
🧸𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦
🤩Epic Side Characters
🧩𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
🧨𝕊𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕪 𝔽𝕄ℂ
🥊 Revenge
⏳𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
⌚𝔸-𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖
📝Cliff Notes Review-
I enjoyed Dawn’s Embrace even more than book one. The world grows bigger, the mythology becomes richer and the plot is packed with secrets, betrayals and layered mysteries that kept me completely hooked. I loved meeting the new side characters, and the introduction of dragon shifters has me ridiculously excited for the next book. The love triangle is still brilliantly written because I genuinely don’t know who I’m rooting for, although I would’ve liked a little more emotional connection alongside the spicy scenes. A few continuity issues and missing explanations still pulled me out of the story occasionally, but overall this was a stronger sequel that left me desperate to continue the series.
🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
After enjoying Shedding Starlight, I was looking forward to continuing the series, and I’m happy to say that I enjoyed this one even more. What impressed me most was how much stronger and more confident the writing felt compared with Shedding Starlight. The descriptions feel richer without becoming heavy, and the history and lore are woven naturally into the story rather than simply delivered in large blocks of information. The overall plot feels richer, the mysteries deepen, the world expands well and there are so many more layers of intrigue woven throughout the story. It definitely feels like the series is finding its stride.
There is also a noticeable shift in tone between the books. Shedding Starlight often felt like a supernatural coming-of-age story shaped by academy drama, whereas Dawn’s Embrace feels harsher, darker and more focused on survival. Nyx is beginning to understand the scale of the power surrounding her and, more importantly, the power potentially waiting inside her.
Another favourite part of this book was how much larger the world suddenly became. Book one introduced the world, but Dawn’s Embrace feels like the moment the series truly opens up. This one moves away from the school and out into the wider world. We aren’t simply following the same story from book one anymore. New characters, new secrets, new factions and even more history are introduced, making the world feel far more alive. I loved learning more about the mythology, history and the wider supernatural world, and I’m especially excited by the introduction of the dragon shifters.
Speaking of- The mythology and lore continue to be one of this series’ biggest strengths. And how dare this book make me feel sympathy for characters I had already decided I didn’t trust? I finished the book with more theories than answers and absolutely no confidence in my ability to identify who is manipulating whom. Every answer seems to uncover two more questions, Several times I found myself questioning my own judgement, and I constantly found myself trying to piece together who could actually be trusted and what everyone’s true motivations were. I was starting to wonder whether the people I had labelled as villains were quite as simple as they first appeared. The betrayals, secrets and hidden agendas kept me engaged throughout, and I found myself theorising constantly.
For once, I did actually managed to predict one of the major reveals. Anyone who knows my reviews knows that’s incredibly rare because I’m usually completely blindsided by plot twists. Looking back, the breadcrumbs were definitely there, and while I was pleased with myself for spotting them, I don’t think it took away from my enjoyment because there were still plenty of surprises waiting afterwards and I couldn’t work out the motives which were really important.
The author did an excellent job placing me inside Nyx’s confusion. I felt lost in the fog alongside her, constantly questioning what might be hiding beneath the surface. The tone is darker, the danger feels more immediate and Nyx is no longer simply trying to understand her place within the school and pack hierarchy. She is fighting through physical pain, emotional torment, ancient magic and revelations that could completely alter everything she believes about herself.
The tension between the characters is incredibly well written. There were multiple scenes that had my heart racing because the emotional push and pull is so strong. The longing, uncertainty and constant conflict between loyalty, attraction and destiny create some fantastic moments. I especially loved meeting the new side characters. Much like the first book, they never feel like background extras, and several of them completely stole scenes whenever they appeared.
The chemistry within the love triangle continues to be one of the strongest aspects of the series. I genuinely still don’t know who I’m rooting for, which I actually think is a compliment to the author. I can completely understand both sides, and if anything, I found myself leaning in a different direction than I think the story wants me to. That’s made the emotional tension even more interesting because there isn’t an obvious “correct” choice from my perspective.
The spice definitely increases in this instalment, and while the scenes themselves are passionate and well written, I did find myself wishing there was slightly more emotional intimacy surrounding them. There was plenty of physical chemistry, but I still wanted more conversations, quieter moments and relationship building that would deepen whichever romance ultimately develops.
If book three delivers on everything that’s now been set up, I think this series has the potential to become something really special, and I honestly can’t wait to dive straight into the next instalment.
😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
Unfortunately, some of the same issues I mentioned in my review of book one are still present here. There are occasional continuity issues and small gaps where scenes or explanations feel as though they’re missing. There are still a few repeated ideas and moments where the wording feels slightly overworked, but the improvement between the two books is impossible to ignore. Every now and then I’d find myself pausing to ask, “Wait… what happened there?” before the story had already moved on. They’re rarely enough to ruin the experience, but they do interrupt the flow just enough to stop this becoming a five-star read for me.
🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Overall though, this was a very enjoyable sequel. The plot is more layered, the mysteries are stronger, the supporting cast continue to shine and the world keeps expanding in exciting ways. While I still found myself wanting a little more clarity and smoother continuity in places, I finished the book even more invested than I was after book one.
𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;
𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...
IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...
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𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF
⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action
🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
★★★★½ 4.5 / 5 stars - A devastating, twisty, can't-put-it-down sequel
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Dawn's Embrace (Howl of the Ancients Book 2) by K.R. Blackwood and wow — this book delivers on that tagline: "Some lies are so perfect you'll beg to believe them."
If you read Book 1, you know Nyx barely escaped the palace dungeons alive. This sequel picks up right there, and Blackwood does not give you time to breathe. Nyx is technically free, but that collar is still binding her wolf, and her freedom comes with a cost she doesn't fully understand yet.
What I loved:
1. The world gets bigger and darker. The usurper is on the throne, the portals are open, the Fae have crossed over — the stakes are suddenly continental. To stop them, Nyx has to seek out the dragons of Pyrrathys, who are ancient enemies of the Fae and do NOT do favors. The journey itself is my favorite part. Blackwood writes these lands where forests whisper lies and fields literally fracture reality. It's dark shifter romantasy that leans heavily into dark fantasy, not just romance in wolf costumes.
2. The psychological tension is brilliant. That fog pressing at the edges of Nyx's thoughts, questions disappearing before she can ask them, details that don't align — I felt genuinely unsettled reading it. You know something is wrong long before Nyx does. Warnings come in whispers, shadows wear familiar faces, and that feeling that the greatest danger might be walking right beside her? Chilling. It's slow-burn revelations done perfectly.
3. The characters and romance. Nyx is still fierce and flawed and fighting, but more vulnerable here. The morally grey characters from Book 1 get so much more depth. No one is purely good or evil and the line between ally and enemy completely dissolves. The romance is still a slow, torturous burn with real emotional stakes — not just spice for spice's sake. When that familiar voice begs her for help in her dreams, I actually gasped.
4. That prose. This is a big book, but Blackwood's writing is immersive and lyrical without being purple. The world-building for the Fae vs. dragons lore is rich, and the plot twists in the last 30% shattered everything I thought I knew from Book 1.
Why not a full 5 stars?
Only because the middle section — the travel through the fractured lands — gets a little dense. There's a lot of reality-bending and memory slips to track, and I had to re-read a couple passages to make sure I wasn't being gaslit right along with Nyx (which, to be fair, might be intentional). And be warned: it ends on a brutal setup for what comes next. I need Book 3 immediately.
Perfect for you if you love dark, twisty wolf shifter romance where nothing is as it seems, morally complex characters, dragons, Fae politics, and plot twists that make you want to go back and re-read Book 1 with new eyes.
A fantastic, atmospheric, heart-wrenching sequel that surpasses Book 1.
Highly recommend.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Dawn's Embrace (Howl of the Ancients Book 2) by K.R. Blackwood and wow — this book delivers on that tagline: "Some lies are so perfect you'll beg to believe them."
If you read Book 1, you know Nyx barely escaped the palace dungeons alive. This sequel picks up right there, and Blackwood does not give you time to breathe. Nyx is technically free, but that collar is still binding her wolf, and her freedom comes with a cost she doesn't fully understand yet.
What I loved:
1. The world gets bigger and darker. The usurper is on the throne, the portals are open, the Fae have crossed over — the stakes are suddenly continental. To stop them, Nyx has to seek out the dragons of Pyrrathys, who are ancient enemies of the Fae and do NOT do favors. The journey itself is my favorite part. Blackwood writes these lands where forests whisper lies and fields literally fracture reality. It's dark shifter romantasy that leans heavily into dark fantasy, not just romance in wolf costumes.
2. The psychological tension is brilliant. That fog pressing at the edges of Nyx's thoughts, questions disappearing before she can ask them, details that don't align — I felt genuinely unsettled reading it. You know something is wrong long before Nyx does. Warnings come in whispers, shadows wear familiar faces, and that feeling that the greatest danger might be walking right beside her? Chilling. It's slow-burn revelations done perfectly.
3. The characters and romance. Nyx is still fierce and flawed and fighting, but more vulnerable here. The morally grey characters from Book 1 get so much more depth. No one is purely good or evil and the line between ally and enemy completely dissolves. The romance is still a slow, torturous burn with real emotional stakes — not just spice for spice's sake. When that familiar voice begs her for help in her dreams, I actually gasped.
4. That prose. This is a big book, but Blackwood's writing is immersive and lyrical without being purple. The world-building for the Fae vs. dragons lore is rich, and the plot twists in the last 30% shattered everything I thought I knew from Book 1.
Why not a full 5 stars?
Only because the middle section — the travel through the fractured lands — gets a little dense. There's a lot of reality-bending and memory slips to track, and I had to re-read a couple passages to make sure I wasn't being gaslit right along with Nyx (which, to be fair, might be intentional). And be warned: it ends on a brutal setup for what comes next. I need Book 3 immediately.
Perfect for you if you love dark, twisty wolf shifter romance where nothing is as it seems, morally complex characters, dragons, Fae politics, and plot twists that make you want to go back and re-read Book 1 with new eyes.
A fantastic, atmospheric, heart-wrenching sequel that surpasses Book 1.
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In the words of Talon… I told you so.
And yes, I am absolutely going to enjoy being right… even when I’m not completely right.
But also… K.R. Blackwood, how dare you make me feel things for characters I don’t trust! How dare you make me question my own judgment and have even a tiny bit of sympathy for people I was fully prepared to side-eye forever. I have questions. I have theories. I have emotional damage.
This book was an absolute ride. From the very first page it was GO, GO, GO, and it did not slow down. Book one was amazing—I loved being introduced to this world and these characters but book two? Oh, this is where everything exploded. This is where the story grabbed my hand, threw me into the chaos, and said, “Good luck figuring this out.”
Spoiler-free, but also… WHAT WAS HAPPENING?! So many things we were left wondering about from book one finally started to make sense, only for those answers to create a whole new set of questions. Theories that I thought were solid? Questioned. Things I thought I understood? Gone. And after what we learned at the end, I NEED to know what was actually happening to everyone in that flower field because my brain has not stopped trying to put the pieces together.
K.R. Blackwood did an incredible job making readers feel exactly what Nyx was feeling. We were lost in the fog right along with her. We were questioning what was real, who could be trusted, and what was hiding just beneath the surface. The best part? The clues were there. They were sprinkled throughout the story, waiting for us to notice them, but somehow we were still left trying to connect the dots while everything kept shifting around us.
And Nyx… I just have so much respect for her. She has been through so much, and yet she keeps fighting. She found new friends, held onto the people who mattered, and discovered something she’s always needed... family. She learned more about herself, where she came from, and the strength she carries inside her.
Even with the collar, the pain, the emotional and physical torture, and everything thrown in her path, Nyx refuses to be broken. Her strength, stubbornness, and willpower are what make her such an incredible character. She keeps choosing to move forward, even when everything tells her she shouldn’t be able to.
This book took everything I loved about the first one and turned it up. More secrets. More danger. More twists. More moments where I had to stop and say, “Wait… WHAT?” The characters, the world-building, the mysteries it all expanded in the best way.
Book two didn’t just continue Nyx’s story. It changed everything.
Now I’m left with theories, questions, and one very important request......
K.R. Blackwood… I need book three yesterday.
Because I am not okay.
Thank you, K.R. Blackwood for the eARC copy of this absolutely fantastic story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And yes, I am absolutely going to enjoy being right… even when I’m not completely right.
But also… K.R. Blackwood, how dare you make me feel things for characters I don’t trust! How dare you make me question my own judgment and have even a tiny bit of sympathy for people I was fully prepared to side-eye forever. I have questions. I have theories. I have emotional damage.
This book was an absolute ride. From the very first page it was GO, GO, GO, and it did not slow down. Book one was amazing—I loved being introduced to this world and these characters but book two? Oh, this is where everything exploded. This is where the story grabbed my hand, threw me into the chaos, and said, “Good luck figuring this out.”
Spoiler-free, but also… WHAT WAS HAPPENING?! So many things we were left wondering about from book one finally started to make sense, only for those answers to create a whole new set of questions. Theories that I thought were solid? Questioned. Things I thought I understood? Gone. And after what we learned at the end, I NEED to know what was actually happening to everyone in that flower field because my brain has not stopped trying to put the pieces together.
K.R. Blackwood did an incredible job making readers feel exactly what Nyx was feeling. We were lost in the fog right along with her. We were questioning what was real, who could be trusted, and what was hiding just beneath the surface. The best part? The clues were there. They were sprinkled throughout the story, waiting for us to notice them, but somehow we were still left trying to connect the dots while everything kept shifting around us.
And Nyx… I just have so much respect for her. She has been through so much, and yet she keeps fighting. She found new friends, held onto the people who mattered, and discovered something she’s always needed... family. She learned more about herself, where she came from, and the strength she carries inside her.
Even with the collar, the pain, the emotional and physical torture, and everything thrown in her path, Nyx refuses to be broken. Her strength, stubbornness, and willpower are what make her such an incredible character. She keeps choosing to move forward, even when everything tells her she shouldn’t be able to.
This book took everything I loved about the first one and turned it up. More secrets. More danger. More twists. More moments where I had to stop and say, “Wait… WHAT?” The characters, the world-building, the mysteries it all expanded in the best way.
Book two didn’t just continue Nyx’s story. It changed everything.
Now I’m left with theories, questions, and one very important request......
K.R. Blackwood… I need book three yesterday.
Because I am not okay.
Thank you, K.R. Blackwood for the eARC copy of this absolutely fantastic story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 18, 2026
Thank you K.R. Blackwood for the ARC copy. These are my honest opinions.
This one took me only a couple of days, so it definitely was hitting well. The vibes were fantastic. I loved the “must choose” coming back into play in this one. Nyx was struggling through all of her feelings and emotions in this and it felt so real as the reader. I really enjoyed seeing her recognizing what was going on around her, but she was still so conflicted and untrusting of the new information. She is flawed and we get to see her flaws in action in this book. By the end she’s really beginning to step into her power/role as a future leader. I am so excited so see what happens next in this story.
Talon is a fantastic best friend. He deserves a happy ending, but I am so nervous that he’s not going to get it in book 3. He has a ride or die feeling and I’m worried that will actually become reality as he is fiercely protective of Nyx. His significant other was injured multiple times….eeek. The traveling between worlds in this story was really exciting as we get to see more of the tensions between the fae, dragons, and shifters. I am so curious about how these worlds will connect. I’m getting SJM vibes between the Rift or Ages series and the Howl of the Ancients series. These two just feel like they’re intertwined and might even share characters at some point.
I’m not going to touch on Solis and Kieran, except to say…I was right and Yay!
The author did a great job keeping me guessing, but I do think this story was more predictable than book 1 for me. That being said, I throughly enjoyed this story and seeing the characters developing and changing as information was revealed. Some of the story was a little repetitive feeling (minor)and some sentences felt a bit clunky, but overall this was well done. It was very easy to read and understand the world. I did not do a reread before picking up this story, so it did take me a little to remember all of the characters. I would recommend rereading book one before book two if it has been a while.
Tropes:
Mental health rep (panic attacks)
Enemies to lovers to enemies?
Must choose romance
Betrayals
Secrets and lies
Quote:
“Everything. Everything is a lie.”
“I just need you to hear this. Whatever this is, whatever this turns into—I have your back. No conditions, no footnotes. You are never out there alone while I’m standing.”
This one took me only a couple of days, so it definitely was hitting well. The vibes were fantastic. I loved the “must choose” coming back into play in this one. Nyx was struggling through all of her feelings and emotions in this and it felt so real as the reader. I really enjoyed seeing her recognizing what was going on around her, but she was still so conflicted and untrusting of the new information. She is flawed and we get to see her flaws in action in this book. By the end she’s really beginning to step into her power/role as a future leader. I am so excited so see what happens next in this story.
Talon is a fantastic best friend. He deserves a happy ending, but I am so nervous that he’s not going to get it in book 3. He has a ride or die feeling and I’m worried that will actually become reality as he is fiercely protective of Nyx. His significant other was injured multiple times….eeek. The traveling between worlds in this story was really exciting as we get to see more of the tensions between the fae, dragons, and shifters. I am so curious about how these worlds will connect. I’m getting SJM vibes between the Rift or Ages series and the Howl of the Ancients series. These two just feel like they’re intertwined and might even share characters at some point.
I’m not going to touch on Solis and Kieran, except to say…I was right and Yay!
The author did a great job keeping me guessing, but I do think this story was more predictable than book 1 for me. That being said, I throughly enjoyed this story and seeing the characters developing and changing as information was revealed. Some of the story was a little repetitive feeling (minor)and some sentences felt a bit clunky, but overall this was well done. It was very easy to read and understand the world. I did not do a reread before picking up this story, so it did take me a little to remember all of the characters. I would recommend rereading book one before book two if it has been a while.
Tropes:
Mental health rep (panic attacks)
Enemies to lovers to enemies?
Must choose romance
Betrayals
Secrets and lies
Quote:
“Everything. Everything is a lie.”
“I just need you to hear this. Whatever this is, whatever this turns into—I have your back. No conditions, no footnotes. You are never out there alone while I’m standing.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dawns Embrace
K.R. Blackwood
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nyx has escaped the dungeons alive, but since the fae iron collar around her throat still binds her wolf, freedom has come with more questions then not.
The throne now seats an usurper with the portals open and the fae have now crossed over.
There is only one thing they believe is powerful enough to stop this invasion and that could be the dragons of Pyrrathys who are ancient enemies of the fae, but there's one problem and that is they don't answer pleas for help lightly.
To reach the dragons, Nyx must travel through a land where forests come alive whispering lies, where fields can totally fracture reality, and truth....well that comes and goes as easily as water runs down a mountain.
But there's something just not right. A fog seems to press the edges of Nyx's thoughts and questions, well they disappear as fast as she thinks of them. Details don't exactly seem to match up either anymore.
And when she sleeps, that's a totally different story because a familiar voice begs her for help.
While warnings come in whispers and shadows wear familiar faces. What's a girl to do?
Holy cow!! Now this book was so much better than the first. It felt like I knew the characters, but trust me I didn't. I thought I knew what was right side up when it was really upside down. My alliances were changing faster than my mind could keep up. I thought I would breeze through this book, but I was wrong. Dead wrong. This book took all my concentration to follow the characters and how they changed from good to bad in a heartbeat. There are only a few characters that I now trust and I hope I'm making the right decision because all of that can change in the next book. This was truly a brilliant read and I was utterly fascinated by it. I would be reading away and yell no or something out loud and my family would look at me like I was off of my rocker, and that right there folks is what makes this book truly special. If you want to read this book I would suggest that you read the first one so that you get the full scope of what's going on. All in all this was a great book and I can't wait for the next one.
K.R. Blackwood
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nyx has escaped the dungeons alive, but since the fae iron collar around her throat still binds her wolf, freedom has come with more questions then not.
The throne now seats an usurper with the portals open and the fae have now crossed over.
There is only one thing they believe is powerful enough to stop this invasion and that could be the dragons of Pyrrathys who are ancient enemies of the fae, but there's one problem and that is they don't answer pleas for help lightly.
To reach the dragons, Nyx must travel through a land where forests come alive whispering lies, where fields can totally fracture reality, and truth....well that comes and goes as easily as water runs down a mountain.
But there's something just not right. A fog seems to press the edges of Nyx's thoughts and questions, well they disappear as fast as she thinks of them. Details don't exactly seem to match up either anymore.
And when she sleeps, that's a totally different story because a familiar voice begs her for help.
While warnings come in whispers and shadows wear familiar faces. What's a girl to do?
Holy cow!! Now this book was so much better than the first. It felt like I knew the characters, but trust me I didn't. I thought I knew what was right side up when it was really upside down. My alliances were changing faster than my mind could keep up. I thought I would breeze through this book, but I was wrong. Dead wrong. This book took all my concentration to follow the characters and how they changed from good to bad in a heartbeat. There are only a few characters that I now trust and I hope I'm making the right decision because all of that can change in the next book. This was truly a brilliant read and I was utterly fascinated by it. I would be reading away and yell no or something out loud and my family would look at me like I was off of my rocker, and that right there folks is what makes this book truly special. If you want to read this book I would suggest that you read the first one so that you get the full scope of what's going on. All in all this was a great book and I can't wait for the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. When I read Shedding Starlight, my thoughts were it started a little slow but, man, did it quickly start to gain speed the more I read. Things were happening, and I wasn’t sure what was going on! I spent the last half of the book constantly saying, “WTH?!” I wish I had paid attention to and marked every time I felt like a character did or said something off. At the end of that book, I had so many questions! I am SO glad I waited to read this book until closer to book 2’s release.
Dawn’s Embrace, book 2, starts off with a bang of a prologue and just keeps going! More questions. More characters. More worlds. The web she weaves gets more intricate and entangled so I started keeping track of all of those oddities with the characters. Finally, about ¾ of the way, answers start revealing themselves. Pieces of the puzzle start to fit together! I loved it. When an author can surprise me like that, that’s a winning book for me. I actually had a passing thought at one point that proved to be one of the truths revealed! Not how I thought, though. Now that the questions I had are mostly answered, the big “How the h*lL is this going to work out?” has to come with book 3.
The book starts with Nyx in a prison cell with a man, we don’t know which one. Then the story starts several weeks before that. Most of the book is leading up to that prologue point. Without any spoilers, Nyx takes a journey, finds a unpleasant ‘temporary new home’ or two, meets some new friends, has a few plot twists occur along the way, and starts a journey with a mission. Only to end up finding… na-ah-ah-ah :) No spoilers!
If you like: shifters, mythology, plot twists, dragons, witches, and different realms, you should read the Howl of the Ancients series by K.R. Blackwood. Book 1, Shedding Starlight, is out now. Book 2, Dawn’s Embrace, is coming in November.
Dawn’s Embrace, book 2, starts off with a bang of a prologue and just keeps going! More questions. More characters. More worlds. The web she weaves gets more intricate and entangled so I started keeping track of all of those oddities with the characters. Finally, about ¾ of the way, answers start revealing themselves. Pieces of the puzzle start to fit together! I loved it. When an author can surprise me like that, that’s a winning book for me. I actually had a passing thought at one point that proved to be one of the truths revealed! Not how I thought, though. Now that the questions I had are mostly answered, the big “How the h*lL is this going to work out?” has to come with book 3.
The book starts with Nyx in a prison cell with a man, we don’t know which one. Then the story starts several weeks before that. Most of the book is leading up to that prologue point. Without any spoilers, Nyx takes a journey, finds a unpleasant ‘temporary new home’ or two, meets some new friends, has a few plot twists occur along the way, and starts a journey with a mission. Only to end up finding… na-ah-ah-ah :) No spoilers!
If you like: shifters, mythology, plot twists, dragons, witches, and different realms, you should read the Howl of the Ancients series by K.R. Blackwood. Book 1, Shedding Starlight, is out now. Book 2, Dawn’s Embrace, is coming in November.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was provided to me by the author as an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
I don’t think I’ve ever changed my opinion about an author this dramatically after reading a single book.
If you read my review of the first book, you know I wasn’t convinced. It felt off from time to time. But we are here for the second book and boy do I have things to say..
The improvement in the writing is staggering. The prose has found its footing. It feels confident, descriptive without becoming heavy, and immersive enough that I often forgot I was reading an indie fantasy.
Yes, there are still moments where ideas are repeated more than necessary, and every now and then a sentence feels a little too polished. But compared to where this series started, those moments barely registered.
What truly sold me was the world itself.
Dragon shifters. Ancient magic. Histories that unfold naturally instead of being dumped on the page. Every new piece of information made me more curious rather than more confused.
The biggest surprise, though, was the tone.
The first book felt like a coming-of-age fantasy with high school drama woven into it. Dawn’s Embrace felt like stepping into Celaena Sardothien’s days in Endovier. Not because the stories are the same, but because they share that feeling of resilience, quiet strength, and the sense that the protagonist is only beginning to realize who they can become.
More than anything, this book reminded me that authors grow. Sometimes dramatically. Watching that growth happen between two books was almost as satisfying as reading the story itself.
I genuinely can’t wait to see where this series goes next!
I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this literature before publishing.
I don’t think I’ve ever changed my opinion about an author this dramatically after reading a single book.
If you read my review of the first book, you know I wasn’t convinced. It felt off from time to time. But we are here for the second book and boy do I have things to say..
The improvement in the writing is staggering. The prose has found its footing. It feels confident, descriptive without becoming heavy, and immersive enough that I often forgot I was reading an indie fantasy.
Yes, there are still moments where ideas are repeated more than necessary, and every now and then a sentence feels a little too polished. But compared to where this series started, those moments barely registered.
What truly sold me was the world itself.
Dragon shifters. Ancient magic. Histories that unfold naturally instead of being dumped on the page. Every new piece of information made me more curious rather than more confused.
The biggest surprise, though, was the tone.
The first book felt like a coming-of-age fantasy with high school drama woven into it. Dawn’s Embrace felt like stepping into Celaena Sardothien’s days in Endovier. Not because the stories are the same, but because they share that feeling of resilience, quiet strength, and the sense that the protagonist is only beginning to realize who they can become.
More than anything, this book reminded me that authors grow. Sometimes dramatically. Watching that growth happen between two books was almost as satisfying as reading the story itself.
I genuinely can’t wait to see where this series goes next!
I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this literature before publishing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a strong second installment in the series, and overall, I enjoyed it. The world-building continues to be beautifully crafted and adds significant depth and atmosphere to the story. Nyx remains a compelling and likable FMC, and I am invested in her journey and eager to see how she ultimately overcomes her challenges.
That said, a few inconsistencies pulled me out of the story. Early on, the Fae are portrayed as exceptionally difficult to injure or kill, which heightens their sense of danger and power. However, later in the book, they are defeated relatively easily by less powerful characters in a brief encounter. This shift felt inconsistent with the rules established earlier in the narrative.
I was also surprised by how much of the novel was dedicated to the quest itself. I had expected more focus on character development, interpersonal relationships, and perhaps additional backstory for the supporting cast. The side characters are among the book’s strengths, providing both depth and welcome moments of relief from the intensity of Nyx’s struggles.
One element that did not work as well for me was the use of a disembodied voice to deliver large amounts of historical information. Personally, I prefer when this type of information is conveyed through character interactions, such as introducing a knowledgeable new character. However, this is largely a matter of personal preference rather than a flaw in the story itself.
Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed the book and remain invested in the series. I look forward to continuing with the next installment and seeing how the story ultimately concludes.
That said, a few inconsistencies pulled me out of the story. Early on, the Fae are portrayed as exceptionally difficult to injure or kill, which heightens their sense of danger and power. However, later in the book, they are defeated relatively easily by less powerful characters in a brief encounter. This shift felt inconsistent with the rules established earlier in the narrative.
I was also surprised by how much of the novel was dedicated to the quest itself. I had expected more focus on character development, interpersonal relationships, and perhaps additional backstory for the supporting cast. The side characters are among the book’s strengths, providing both depth and welcome moments of relief from the intensity of Nyx’s struggles.
One element that did not work as well for me was the use of a disembodied voice to deliver large amounts of historical information. Personally, I prefer when this type of information is conveyed through character interactions, such as introducing a knowledgeable new character. However, this is largely a matter of personal preference rather than a flaw in the story itself.
Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed the book and remain invested in the series. I look forward to continuing with the next installment and seeing how the story ultimately concludes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
After reading Shedding Starlight, I knew I needed to know what was going to happen next, but I honestly wasn’t prepared for how much this story was going to throw at me. There were so many moments where I thought I had things figured out, only to realize I absolutely did not.
I loved how much bigger the world felt in this book. We got more characters, more worlds, more secrets, and so many new questions. Every time I thought I was finally starting to understand something, another piece would get added to the puzzle. I was sitting there questioning who I could trust and what was actually going on more than once.
Nyx really stood out to me in this one. She is definitely flawed, and we get to see her struggle with everything being thrown at her, but I really liked watching her grow and start figuring out who she is and what she wants. She has been through so much, and somehow she just keeps going.
And Talon… I love him. That’s all I’m going to say because I refuse to spoil anything, but I need good things for him.
The pacing worked really well for me too. I never felt like I was waiting around for the story to get interesting because there was always something happening or something new being revealed. There were definitely a few things I guessed, but there were also plenty of moments that caught me completely off guard.
I also really liked all the different creatures and the way the fae, dragons, witches, and shifters are coming together. It makes me really curious about where this whole story is going because it feels like there is still SO much we haven’t seen yet.
I loved how much bigger the world felt in this book. We got more characters, more worlds, more secrets, and so many new questions. Every time I thought I was finally starting to understand something, another piece would get added to the puzzle. I was sitting there questioning who I could trust and what was actually going on more than once.
Nyx really stood out to me in this one. She is definitely flawed, and we get to see her struggle with everything being thrown at her, but I really liked watching her grow and start figuring out who she is and what she wants. She has been through so much, and somehow she just keeps going.
And Talon… I love him. That’s all I’m going to say because I refuse to spoil anything, but I need good things for him.
The pacing worked really well for me too. I never felt like I was waiting around for the story to get interesting because there was always something happening or something new being revealed. There were definitely a few things I guessed, but there were also plenty of moments that caught me completely off guard.
I also really liked all the different creatures and the way the fae, dragons, witches, and shifters are coming together. It makes me really curious about where this whole story is going because it feels like there is still SO much we haven’t seen yet.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars! What an emotional roller coaster!
Dawn’s Embrace by K.R. Blackwood had me completely hooked! Between the incredible characters, unexpected twists, emotional moments, and vivid writing, I was constantly questioning what would happen next.
The descriptions and world-building were absolutely incredible. K.R. Blackwood created such a rich, immersive world that reading this book felt like watching a movie unfold in my head. Every scene was so vividly written that I could picture the settings, characters, and action as if I were right there alongside them.
I absolutely adored Nyx and loved watching her character develop as she faced the challenges and trials thrown her way. Talon stole my heart early on, and I loved the loyalty that developed between him and Nyx. And Kieran? I started this book questioning whether his attitude was genuine or just an act, but by the end, I absolutely loved him!
Now Silas? He can burn in hell! Seriously, that man had me furious!
The twists and turns in this story kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another revelation had me questioning everything all over again.
K.R. Blackwood knows exactly how to keep readers emotionally invested, and her vivid writing, incredible world-building, and detailed descriptions made this story come alive. I am completely hooked on this series and its characters.
Five stars, an emotional roller coaster, and an impatient wait for the next book! I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
Dawn’s Embrace by K.R. Blackwood had me completely hooked! Between the incredible characters, unexpected twists, emotional moments, and vivid writing, I was constantly questioning what would happen next.
The descriptions and world-building were absolutely incredible. K.R. Blackwood created such a rich, immersive world that reading this book felt like watching a movie unfold in my head. Every scene was so vividly written that I could picture the settings, characters, and action as if I were right there alongside them.
I absolutely adored Nyx and loved watching her character develop as she faced the challenges and trials thrown her way. Talon stole my heart early on, and I loved the loyalty that developed between him and Nyx. And Kieran? I started this book questioning whether his attitude was genuine or just an act, but by the end, I absolutely loved him!
Now Silas? He can burn in hell! Seriously, that man had me furious!
The twists and turns in this story kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another revelation had me questioning everything all over again.
K.R. Blackwood knows exactly how to keep readers emotionally invested, and her vivid writing, incredible world-building, and detailed descriptions made this story come alive. I am completely hooked on this series and its characters.
Five stars, an emotional roller coaster, and an impatient wait for the next book! I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐️ “I feel like I’m held together with about four threads and a bad decision.”
ARC Read — Dawn’s Embrace (Book 2)
Howl of the Ancients Series by K.R. Blackwood
Nyx, Talon, Lila, and Solis have escaped Kieran and everything that happened at the palace, but getting away doesn’t mean they’re safe. Nyx is collared and unable to access her wolf or her powers, and things are definitely NOT as simple as they seem.
The attempt to bond with Solis fails, and they’re forced to turn to Talon’s people to try to find a way to right the wrongs Kieran has caused.
Nothing is certain in this book! Just when I thought I knew who I could trust, something else would happen and have me questioning everything all over again. The twists and turns had me changing my mind more times than I can count. 😂
And the emotions?! ALL OF THEM. 😩❤️
“I feel like I’m held together with about four threads and a bad decision.”
Ugh… MY HEART! This line will forever be etched in my brain.
This book had me stressed, questioning everyone, and completely invested in Nyx’s journey. There were definitely moments where I wanted to yell at the characters through the pages, but I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
The journey in this book had me feeling every single emotion, and that ending has me needing to know what comes next! My mind has already started running toward the scenarios in book 3!
ARC Read — Dawn’s Embrace (Book 2)
Howl of the Ancients Series by K.R. Blackwood
Nyx, Talon, Lila, and Solis have escaped Kieran and everything that happened at the palace, but getting away doesn’t mean they’re safe. Nyx is collared and unable to access her wolf or her powers, and things are definitely NOT as simple as they seem.
The attempt to bond with Solis fails, and they’re forced to turn to Talon’s people to try to find a way to right the wrongs Kieran has caused.
Nothing is certain in this book! Just when I thought I knew who I could trust, something else would happen and have me questioning everything all over again. The twists and turns had me changing my mind more times than I can count. 😂
And the emotions?! ALL OF THEM. 😩❤️
“I feel like I’m held together with about four threads and a bad decision.”
Ugh… MY HEART! This line will forever be etched in my brain.
This book had me stressed, questioning everyone, and completely invested in Nyx’s journey. There were definitely moments where I wanted to yell at the characters through the pages, but I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
The journey in this book had me feeling every single emotion, and that ending has me needing to know what comes next! My mind has already started running toward the scenarios in book 3!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was very lucky to get to read of this book and am so pleased that I did. This is not your usual werewolf book and has a more detailed and well thought out storyline than other books in this genre. If you want to be taken for a ride and shaken to your core, this book is for you!
Dawns Embrace is a roller coaster of emotions and you cannot guarantee what is coming up around the next corner, each and every time the trail ahead of you twists. The characters attach themselves to your soul without even trying and boy, do they take you here and there, and back again. You feel their feelings as if they are your own with every black word you read on the page.
The Author’s writing style keeps you guessing until the last word and still you end up coming back for more (even though you end up having your heart pulled out, time and time again!).
This is a must read and one you will not be able to put down.
Words of warning; Don’t get attached, trust no one, then have a needle and thread handy to sew yourself back together, again. And again. And again!
Note to K.R Blackwood - This reader hold grudges, deep black cavernous grudges, especially where someone tears my soul apart, and I WILL remember the torment you put me through. But like Nyx, I won’t let it break me and I will be back for more. I am watching this space to find out where your story leads me in your next book.
Dawns Embrace is a roller coaster of emotions and you cannot guarantee what is coming up around the next corner, each and every time the trail ahead of you twists. The characters attach themselves to your soul without even trying and boy, do they take you here and there, and back again. You feel their feelings as if they are your own with every black word you read on the page.
The Author’s writing style keeps you guessing until the last word and still you end up coming back for more (even though you end up having your heart pulled out, time and time again!).
This is a must read and one you will not be able to put down.
Words of warning; Don’t get attached, trust no one, then have a needle and thread handy to sew yourself back together, again. And again. And again!
Note to K.R Blackwood - This reader hold grudges, deep black cavernous grudges, especially where someone tears my soul apart, and I WILL remember the torment you put me through. But like Nyx, I won’t let it break me and I will be back for more. I am watching this space to find out where your story leads me in your next book.
October 5, 2026
ARC reader here
I fell head over heels in love with book 1: Shedding Starlight, and I was excited to be able to read Dawns Embrace.
This story picks up where Shedding Starlight leaves us. I’m still questioning everyone and where their loyalties lie. I’m getting suspicious of certain characters and their interactions but like Nyx, I still don’t know who I can trust.
The garden dream scapes make me question everyone even more because what do you mean the eyes are telling?
Then chapter 29 happens!!!! Holy twist Batman and robin. Everything starts clicking into place. Suddenly everything starts making sense. Nyx’s origin story is discovered, we learn so much more about both brothers. I did not see Solis’ thing happening. And the twist ripped my heart out.
Book 3 cannot come fast enough. This story got 4.5/5 because parts of it felt like it dragged on as I didn’t find myself reading the first half as eagerly as I did in book 1. Yes I know books are always different and I don’t go into books with an expectation. This is just something I noticed. BUT the character development was well designed, the backstories and explanations of pasts and the court complexities help set up a strong foundational knowledge for the next book where I know Nyx is gonna be living her best girl rage.
I fell head over heels in love with book 1: Shedding Starlight, and I was excited to be able to read Dawns Embrace.
This story picks up where Shedding Starlight leaves us. I’m still questioning everyone and where their loyalties lie. I’m getting suspicious of certain characters and their interactions but like Nyx, I still don’t know who I can trust.
The garden dream scapes make me question everyone even more because what do you mean the eyes are telling?
Then chapter 29 happens!!!! Holy twist Batman and robin. Everything starts clicking into place. Suddenly everything starts making sense. Nyx’s origin story is discovered, we learn so much more about both brothers. I did not see Solis’ thing happening. And the twist ripped my heart out.
Book 3 cannot come fast enough. This story got 4.5/5 because parts of it felt like it dragged on as I didn’t find myself reading the first half as eagerly as I did in book 1. Yes I know books are always different and I don’t go into books with an expectation. This is just something I noticed. BUT the character development was well designed, the backstories and explanations of pasts and the court complexities help set up a strong foundational knowledge for the next book where I know Nyx is gonna be living her best girl rage.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I swear this book has been an immensely stressful, frustrating, amazing read. 100% like a car crash you can't look away from. I spent an inordinate amount of time shouting at the characters, knowing they couldn't hear me.
So, after book 1 I had the sense that I didn't trust either Kieran, for obvious reasons if you've read book 1 but which I won't go into for spoilers sakes, or Solis, for the simple fact that I'm a deeply suspicious reader especially when an MMC is what I would deem "nice". This book took my distrustfulness to new heights with characters that I hadn't yet pegged as being manipulative betrayers and who I trusted completely. It also cemented who can be trusted and I'm loving the found family tropes in this story.
I'd hoped to see Nyx take back some power and ownership of her treatment in this book and while I'm seeing a glimmer of that now, I did find it incredibly frustrating seeing her trusting characters when her instincts were to the absolute contrary.
The pace is still moving at a really good clip and the story is progressing brilliantly. And now I'll sit back and wait (I'll try for patience but promise nothing) for book 3.
I swear this book has been an immensely stressful, frustrating, amazing read. 100% like a car crash you can't look away from. I spent an inordinate amount of time shouting at the characters, knowing they couldn't hear me.
So, after book 1 I had the sense that I didn't trust either Kieran, for obvious reasons if you've read book 1 but which I won't go into for spoilers sakes, or Solis, for the simple fact that I'm a deeply suspicious reader especially when an MMC is what I would deem "nice". This book took my distrustfulness to new heights with characters that I hadn't yet pegged as being manipulative betrayers and who I trusted completely. It also cemented who can be trusted and I'm loving the found family tropes in this story.
I'd hoped to see Nyx take back some power and ownership of her treatment in this book and while I'm seeing a glimmer of that now, I did find it incredibly frustrating seeing her trusting characters when her instincts were to the absolute contrary.
The pace is still moving at a really good clip and the story is progressing brilliantly. And now I'll sit back and wait (I'll try for patience but promise nothing) for book 3.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as ARC copy, so all opinions and thoughts are my own. I was eager to start reading this book knowing book 2 was ready for readers to read (as an advance reader copy: ARC). I was drawn in not only because of the storyline continuing from where book 1 left off but also of course the cover is gorgeous. This book had me laughing so much at the commentary that I couldn't put it down. The story line was well thought out but K.R. Blackwood really threw a major curveball in the book that I myself didn't expect. The 2 MMC's & FMC grow and really move with much emotions riding along the story but most importantly of which direction that the story is going to go. The plot was exceptional but now I need book 3 like asap! Well....I will just say, the author is right with this series in her quotes about the books:
*Not everything is as it seems.....
*Some lies are so perfect, you'll beg to believe them.
But through what may seem like secrets, may actually be the truth hiding and waiting to be seen and heard. Even if the cost is not what you expected and expected at the same time. Lies may seem like truth but disguised too perfectly. Soooo..are you ready to jump in???
*no spoilers here* but you if you read book 1, you definitely want to read book 2!*
*Not everything is as it seems.....
*Some lies are so perfect, you'll beg to believe them.
But through what may seem like secrets, may actually be the truth hiding and waiting to be seen and heard. Even if the cost is not what you expected and expected at the same time. Lies may seem like truth but disguised too perfectly. Soooo..are you ready to jump in???
*no spoilers here* but you if you read book 1, you definitely want to read book 2!*
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by Dawns Embrace. I liked book one Shedding Starlight, but this one was taken to the next level. The world building was so detailed without being to wordy. I felt like I was there with them the entire time. The pacing was done so well I was able to fully immerse every time I picked the booked up. This is definitely in my tops for found family , esp because it’s found in book two , and not book one. I found that to be very refreshing. This one had all the things I love in a book, found family, betrayals that I did not expect to the extent that they happened, a dangerous adventure, witches, dragon and wolf shifters, fae! All that and the ending is perfectly set up for the next installment (to which I cannot wait for).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ over all
🌶️.5 spice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Setting/ world building
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ characters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ over all
🌶️.5 spice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Setting/ world building
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ characters
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25 ⭐️
Starting with a potetic dedication 👏 you're immediately pulled in with a tension filled prologue.
The first few chapters weave in pieces from book 1 that helps the brain remember without a full recap which I love because it'd been 6 months since I'd read it.
Wolf shifters. Dragons. Fae. Witches, lies, and BETRAYAL.
One chapter specifically I had to message the author and say, WOW, that was so deeply emotional! The way that I was pulled into caring for these characters, and what they were experiencing... flawless.
And then... the plot twist. 😲 prepare to have whiplash and dont trust everything you read!
The pacing shifts throughout the story. Some chapters are slower and others fast-paced.
Favorite quotes
"He breathes my name against my throat. It sounds like prayer and damnation pressed into the same syllable."
"Darkness does not like to be caged. Neither do I."
Starting with a potetic dedication 👏 you're immediately pulled in with a tension filled prologue.
The first few chapters weave in pieces from book 1 that helps the brain remember without a full recap which I love because it'd been 6 months since I'd read it.
Wolf shifters. Dragons. Fae. Witches, lies, and BETRAYAL.
One chapter specifically I had to message the author and say, WOW, that was so deeply emotional! The way that I was pulled into caring for these characters, and what they were experiencing... flawless.
And then... the plot twist. 😲 prepare to have whiplash and dont trust everything you read!
The pacing shifts throughout the story. Some chapters are slower and others fast-paced.
Favorite quotes
"He breathes my name against my throat. It sounds like prayer and damnation pressed into the same syllable."
"Darkness does not like to be caged. Neither do I."
Review of advance copy received from Author
★★★★☆
I absolutely loved returning to the world of Dawn’s Embrace! There’s something so special about stepping back into a world that already feels familiar while still discovering new layers to it. I was especially excited to spend more time with these characters I’ve grown so attached to them, and getting to see their relationships, struggles, and growth made this book such a fun and emotional read.
K. R. Blackwood does a fantastic job creating a world that pulls you in and characters you genuinely want to keep following. There were a few moments where I wanted a little more depth or for certain parts to slow down, but overall, I was completely invested. I’m already looking forward to returning to this world and spending more time with these characters. Definitely a series I’m happy to keep reading!
I absolutely loved returning to the world of Dawn’s Embrace! There’s something so special about stepping back into a world that already feels familiar while still discovering new layers to it. I was especially excited to spend more time with these characters I’ve grown so attached to them, and getting to see their relationships, struggles, and growth made this book such a fun and emotional read.
K. R. Blackwood does a fantastic job creating a world that pulls you in and characters you genuinely want to keep following. There were a few moments where I wanted a little more depth or for certain parts to slow down, but overall, I was completely invested. I’m already looking forward to returning to this world and spending more time with these characters. Definitely a series I’m happy to keep reading!
September 5, 2026
I read Shedding Starlight last month and instantly knew that I wanted to continue the series. I will try my best not to reveal spoilers from the first one.
I have never read a book like this before and I was excited to find out what happens next. Nyx escaped with Solis and the collar is still on her and a lot of the story is focused on the challenges that they have had while traveling. The real exciting part of this book is all of the betrayals and who she is supposed to trust. This book gave me whiplash. After the 50% Every corner there was a reveal. I did not predict any of them. I tend to go for the ride during reading though instead of try to figure it out so that was on me. I did enjoy the fast paced and easy to read of it. The world building was great. I am excited to see what happens next in the next book.
I received an eArc of this book directly from the author. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have never read a book like this before and I was excited to find out what happens next. Nyx escaped with Solis and the collar is still on her and a lot of the story is focused on the challenges that they have had while traveling. The real exciting part of this book is all of the betrayals and who she is supposed to trust. This book gave me whiplash. After the 50% Every corner there was a reveal. I did not predict any of them. I tend to go for the ride during reading though instead of try to figure it out so that was on me. I did enjoy the fast paced and easy to read of it. The world building was great. I am excited to see what happens next in the next book.
I received an eArc of this book directly from the author. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow! Just when I thought I had a handle on the world and knew what to expect. K. R. Blackwood tips the whole thing on its axis!
Dawns Embrace picks up right where Shedding Starlight leaves off. Nyx and her friends have to find a way to stop Kieran and the Fae. All of the same amazing characters are back, plus some more that we meet on their next adventure. Each one brings something unique to the group and they are all essential. I loved everyone in Nyx's found family.
There is more magic than there was in book 1 and I loved the dangerous mission they all went on. Again, I got thrown for a loop when everything went upside down and even more betrayals are revealed. And the last page had me itching for book 3, just like the last.
Thank you K. R. Blackwood for the pleasure of reading this book early!
Wow! Just when I thought I had a handle on the world and knew what to expect. K. R. Blackwood tips the whole thing on its axis!
Dawns Embrace picks up right where Shedding Starlight leaves off. Nyx and her friends have to find a way to stop Kieran and the Fae. All of the same amazing characters are back, plus some more that we meet on their next adventure. Each one brings something unique to the group and they are all essential. I loved everyone in Nyx's found family.
There is more magic than there was in book 1 and I loved the dangerous mission they all went on. Again, I got thrown for a loop when everything went upside down and even more betrayals are revealed. And the last page had me itching for book 3, just like the last.
Thank you K. R. Blackwood for the pleasure of reading this book early!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book. Has had me in such a freaking choke hold it's not even funny. 😩
I love it. This book will be released next month! Thank you @k.r.blackwood_author for allowing me to be an ARC reader for it.
This book is a 5 ⭐ for me. I love Nyx our main character. This is book 2 in the series and we learn a lot about who she is. I can tell you this. I did not think I'd relate to her in the way that I have.
I've never. NEVER had a book make me stare at nothing for long periods of time. This book... One part where we learn something about her. Had me staring at nothing in silence for a long time.
The way it tugged at my heart because of that, *chefs kiss*. I cannot wait for book 3. To find out what happens!!
Definitely. Go read Shedding Starlight and then read Dawns Embrace!!
#booktok #fyp #bookish #BookReview #bookstagram
I love it. This book will be released next month! Thank you @k.r.blackwood_author for allowing me to be an ARC reader for it.
This book is a 5 ⭐ for me. I love Nyx our main character. This is book 2 in the series and we learn a lot about who she is. I can tell you this. I did not think I'd relate to her in the way that I have.
I've never. NEVER had a book make me stare at nothing for long periods of time. This book... One part where we learn something about her. Had me staring at nothing in silence for a long time.
The way it tugged at my heart because of that, *chefs kiss*. I cannot wait for book 3. To find out what happens!!
Definitely. Go read Shedding Starlight and then read Dawns Embrace!!
#booktok #fyp #bookish #BookReview #bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from Author
Let me tell you. I need more right now. Give me book 3. Book one I reviewed and was uncertain but wanted to keep going. I got to ARC read book 2 and I'm in love and craving more. Everything became so much more clear but some how more.plot twists that left my mouth wide open catching flies. The characters are too good. Good and evil are so twisty and I can see how you could view either MMC as the villain... depends on your type I guess. The story as a whole had so much going on in the best possible. I also love the pacing. There seemed to be something to keep my interest in every chapter. I didn't feel like there was a filler chapter. Every piece of information given is important to the story and characters as a whole.
July 18, 2026
!!!Review of Advance Copy received by Author!!!
She’s done it again, left us yearning for more, in the best way. The progression of the story felt the same as last time; it seemed like it was slow and then took off and reassured that the beginning pace was actually brilliantly done. I missed Kieran in this book (he’s in it don’t worry! Just not as much as I would have liked because I’ve been Team K from the jump!) but it was truly best for where she’s taking us on this adventure. I appreciate the plot so much because while I didn’t guess it completely, I had pieces of it. To me, that means the story is flowing, easy to follow, yet still original. Really looking forward to Book 3!
3/5 🌶️
4.5/5 ⭐️
She’s done it again, left us yearning for more, in the best way. The progression of the story felt the same as last time; it seemed like it was slow and then took off and reassured that the beginning pace was actually brilliantly done. I missed Kieran in this book (he’s in it don’t worry! Just not as much as I would have liked because I’ve been Team K from the jump!) but it was truly best for where she’s taking us on this adventure. I appreciate the plot so much because while I didn’t guess it completely, I had pieces of it. To me, that means the story is flowing, easy to follow, yet still original. Really looking forward to Book 3!
3/5 🌶️
4.5/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
*I did receive an advanced copy of this book and I am happy to give an honest review*
If I could my actually rating would be more like a 4.5 ⭐️. There is no denying that I absolutely devoured this book by looking at the time it took to finish.
Without giving anything away, there is so much action that takes place that it is hard to put it down and I was eager to continue reading.
There are characters you will love and ones you will hate. Though, worst of all, there will be ones that you hate that you once loved!
I definitely wish I already had book 3 in my hands but I am excited to get the editions I purchased on kickstarter.
This is a series that I will continue to keep my eye!
Thank you K.R Blackwood for the ARC!
If I could my actually rating would be more like a 4.5 ⭐️. There is no denying that I absolutely devoured this book by looking at the time it took to finish.
Without giving anything away, there is so much action that takes place that it is hard to put it down and I was eager to continue reading.
There are characters you will love and ones you will hate. Though, worst of all, there will be ones that you hate that you once loved!
I definitely wish I already had book 3 in my hands but I am excited to get the editions I purchased on kickstarter.
This is a series that I will continue to keep my eye!
Thank you K.R Blackwood for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3/5...The first book left me wanting more, but unfortunately, this one didn’t have the same effect.The will they/won’t they dynamic pretty much took over the book for me, and after a while it became more frustrating than compelling. There were also several plot points and questions introduced that never felt properly settled, including the cliffhanger from the prologue, which I kept expecting to come back around in a meaningful way. I liked the overall dark, twisty atmosphere and the idea of not knowing who or what to trust, but so much of the story felt like it was setting things up without giving enough payoff. By the end, I found myself more dissatisfied than intrigued.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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