Eclipsing Dawn : Dreamers Odyssey Book One

by Deja Colleen

When Darkness Calls...Answer

The world fears Hendrix Rook the Lord of Night, the monster blamed for the destruction of the dragons. Raegan has spent her entire life hating him, and she refuses to forget the blood staining his name.

But when people begin disappearing and the signs of another stemmicide emerge, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance with the very male she swore to despise.

The closer Raegan gets to the ruthless ruler, the more the legends unravel. Because beneath the darkness is a man carrying ancient grief, dangerous secrets, and a devotion fierce enough to destroy worlds.

As old horrors rise and fate tightens around them, Raegan must decide if trusting the monster is worth risking her heart, or if loving him will eclipse her completely.

Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2026

About the author

Deja Colleen is the dark mind behind the House of Claws & Chaos, writing carnal splatterpunk and dark monster romance for readers who love their horror extreme, their monsters lethal, and their romance beautifully depraved. In her worlds, the monsters aren’t always the villains, the heroines bite back, and love is as dangerous as the shadows surrounding it. Her stories blend mystery, horror, humour, and high-stakes tension with morally grey characters, found family, impossible choices, and enough emotional damage to keep everyone on their toes.

Whether she’s unleashing ancient monsters, deadly games, or obsessive heroes who would burn the world for the woman they love, one thing is certain—happy endings are earned through blood, chaos, and heartbreak.

When she’s not plotting new ways to emotionally torment her characters, she’s usually buried in books, collecting monster art, or convincing herself that this next story definitely won’t get out of hand.

Reviews

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me more! This is so dang good, ya’ll. It’s a murder mystery wrapped in magic and the paranormal, with Gods and shifters and witches and fae, it’s got heart, it’s tinged with sadness and self-loathing, and it’s got a fated mates vibe coupling between the very last Dragon, Raegan Deveroux, and The Lord of Nightmares, Hendrix Rook, and it snaps and sizzles and crackles with all their tension and sexy does not even begin to describe Rook or the way this demigod makes your body sing. Flat out fabulous one book is simply not enough of these two and I am more than happy to cyber stalk the heck out of Deja Colleen for even a hint of when I’ll get more!

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, Goldie and Gingersnap absolutely got me. Raegan and Rook were SO much fun together. The banter, the constant irritation, the tension, the stubbornness, the I cannot fucking stand you but why do I want you? energy... yeah I ate it up. But what really made their relationship work for me was everything underneath that chemistry.

Both of them have spent so much time isolated in different ways, and watching them slowly realise they don't have to carry everything alone hit me harder than I expected. Their whole light-and-darkness dynamic was beautifully done because neither of them needed the other to change. Raegan doesn't suddenly become softer to fit Rook, and Rook doesn't magically stop being the terrifying Lord of Nightmares. They see the messy, monstrous parts of each other and basically go, Yep. That one. Mine.

And THE MYSTERY?! Every time I thought I had a handle on what was happening, something else came along and made me suspicious all over again. There are betrayals, secrets, dragon lore, gods, old grudges, and revelations that completely change how you look at things from earlier in the story.

Also, some of the later reveals? CRAZY. Aaand apparently happiness is illegal because the second I thought, FINALLY, LET THEM HAVE THIS, everything went spectacularly to shit.

That ending?! EXCUSE ME?! After everything, someone really decided stealing a dragon's treasure was a good idea. Mmhmm good luck with that.

This was chaotic, funny, emotional, mysterious, filthy, and ridiculously entertaining. I loved watching Raegan and Rook go from enemies throwing punches and insults to two monsters finally finding someone who can stand beside them in the darkness.

[Noelle Sideyardbookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start with a round of applause and standing ovation for the Queen of Monster Romance 👏🏼! This is my second book with Deja Colleen and my goodness can she tell a story!

I first met Hendrix Rook and Raegan Devereaux in A Murder of Secrets and Lies, briefly in their two short encounters. Eclipsing Dawn starts with those first encounters and gives us a more in depth perspective from each character. We then follow along in their love/hate partnership trying to figure out who is responsible for mass murdering Incubi and why. Along the way we get to delve into their personal lives including their pasts and we learn what type of monster/beast Raegan Devereaux truly is. We also get to tag along on the case to find out who is summoning and destroying Incubi, all while having a front row seat to the blossoming romance between Raegan and Hendrix. Their situation-ship is full of hate, love, teasing and banter and I couldn’t seem to get enough of it. I also loved how some of the characters we know and love from A Murder of Secrets and Lies make an appearance! However, the best part was getting down to who was behind all the murders … and let me tell you, I did NOT see it coming and I screamed when it was revealed! And that cliff hanger… I’m already chomping at the bit for the next book!

If you love monsters, romance, and fighting crime, this book is an absolute must. While this is what I would consider a stand alone, there are ties to book 1 of the Monster Island series, as well as book 2. So I would recommend picking up all 3 for one heck of a great time!

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets 4.5 stars from me.

So this book starts off where we have a detective that is investigating multiple things where she meets someone that she should despise. Things are not what they seem.... and of course
Lots of things I would love to write about but it would spoil this book. Needless to say, lots of things are uncovered. Romance is afoot! Who did it comes to play but it is not who you think it is... I thought I had this figured out only to be dead wrong..... Was not expecting certain things to happen.
OH OH OH, this does end on a cliffhanger but not one that is awful. More of like, nope, this isn't nice to do to the characters.
OH also there is a secret to our MC's.... and each of the other needs to figure out the real truth of what is there but it doesn't happen for a long time in the book so sit back and enjoy the ride.......

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this book early. I can't wait for book 2

[Aliie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book so far has been a decent read. However, it hasn’t fully grasped my attention how I would like it. I am not giving up on it but it definitely will take me longer to read than most of my books have in the past. There are points in it that have my attention to where it is making me want to continue the read, such as the chemistry between Goldie and Gingersnap and how they work together plays out.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 4 Stars (ARC read)

I really enjoyed this book! The banter and chemistry between Goldie and Gingersnap was so fun to read and watch their story develop. I absolutely love how they first met.

There was plenty of adventure, twists, and moments that kept me wanting to know what was coming next. Just when I thought I had things figured out… Deja said NOPE. 😂

And you're telling me it has a cliffhanger?! Excuse me?! 😭

I’m very intrigued to see what happens next!

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deja, I love you and your ability to make such and amazing, creative and fun world, but I also hate you for ripping my heart out and stomping all over it.

I will now be in an emotional hole until book 2.

*Received as an ARC but all my opinions remain my own*

[♥︎Obsidian°Scorpio°Reads♥︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deja Colleen did an exceptional job with this.

Reagan an Rook will take you on a gut wrenching,nail bitting, edge of your seat type of adventure be cautious though everything has a bite to it 😉.

Please read your CW/TW's

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5