I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review! Paige just wow!! You absolutely did a phenomenal job on this story and I hate you right now you definitely destroyed me!! This book was full of emotions and it made me ugly cry 😭!! I love how book 3 & 4 come together!! The struggle for love, intense rekindling romance and the suspense was just phenomenal! This ending thought definitely shattered me and Im not okay right now!! I can’t wait for the final book in the series!
“KEENAN I told myself staying away kept Blythe Renner safe. The truth? I was afraid of what saving her would cost me. Now she’s back, and I am willing to break every oath before I lose her again. If this is the end, then I’ll face it knowing I’d go down just to give her freedom this time.
BLYTHE I survived the ENA, but freedom doesn’t feel the way I imagined. Keenan Alvey wants to protect me. Jasper Invidia wants me to choose for myself. And somewhere between them, I’m trying to learn how to live without fear. But the ENA never releases what belongs to them. They took my past. Now they want my future.
JASPER I’ve always stood just outside the story—close enough to protect Blythe Renner, never close enough to be chosen. One mistake may have doomed us all, and the ENA is closing in fast. I tell myself I’m helping her survive. But when the reckoning comes, survival might mean losing her forever.”
I am very grateful to Paige Alexandria for letting me read another ARC in this amazing series! I've been captivated since Book 1, but this most recent book totally destroyed me. It made me cry ugly cry at that—I'm officially not okay.
Aside from the emotional harm, this novel is a masterpiece. This was impossible to put down because of the multi-point of view narrative, the heart-pounding suspense, the intensely rekindled romance, and the strong struggle for love. Each novel develops on the previous one and makes you fall deeply in love with every single character because to Paige's flawless and exquisitely constructed writing.
Put this series on your TBR right now if you haven't already. Once again, Paige Alexandria has succeeded! 👑✨.
Step One: this review is from a gifted advanced reader copy.
Step Two: thank you to the author, Paige Alexendria for gifting me an eARC copy of this book and for giving me the opportunity to read this.
Step three: WOWOWOWOW!! I literally could not put this down and was done with it before I knew it. I am honestly so hooked on this series and cannot believe this is already book 4 of 5. It makes me sad it’s almost over 🥲
The transition from book 3 to 4 was absolutely perfect. The love triangle was super emotional for me with the new love vs. old comfortable love. The rebuilding of love, slow and patient.
And then the ending shattered me.
And if you need me, no you don’t, I will be recovering until book 5.
But I loved this and thank you Paige Alexandria for this story. 🖤
Okay…PAIGE ALEXANDRIA…what the actual hell did you put these people through?! 😩😩😩
The Dark of Keenan was a FOURTH book in a series that somehow still managed to have me emotionally invested, stressed out, yelling at my kindle and questioning which character I should trust every five minutes. 😂🖤
I gave this one 4 ⭐️, and honestly…this series is one giant emotional rollercoaster. We have morally gray characters, secret societies, trauma, betrayal, survival, second chances, obsession, manipulation and enough psychological warfare to make me need a fucking nap after reading. 😩
And the POV situation??? Triple POV. Which I actually really enjoyed because we get inside the heads of Keenan, Blythe AND Jasper, and these three are dealing with SO MUCH that being inside all three perspectives really lets you understand how differently each of them is processing everything that happened.
Keenan…my guy. 😩 You spent all this time convincing yourself that staying away from Blythe was the best way to protect her, meanwhile sir…we both know that wasn’t going to work. 😂 He’s protective, morally gray, carrying a whole truckload of guilt and trauma, and constantly battling between what he thinks is best for Blythe and what she actually wants.
And Blythe??? GIRL. 😭 She has survived SO MUCH. The ENA absolutely wrecked this woman mentally and emotionally, and watching her try to figure out what freedom actually means after living through that kind of control was probably one of my favorite parts of this book.
Because surviving something and actually knowing how to LIVE afterward are two completely different things.
And then there’s Jasper. 👀
I swear this man has been standing on the sidelines for so long that I just wanted to grab him by the shoulders and be like SIR, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?! 😂 He wants to protect Blythe, but there’s so much resentment, fear, guilt and unresolved shit between these characters that absolutely NOTHING feels simple.
And that’s what I liked about this book. Nobody is really making easy choices. Nobody is completely innocent. Everyone has their own reasons, their own trauma and their own version of what they think is right.
Which also means I spent a LOT of time wanting to shake people. 😂
The ENA continues to be absolutely horrifying. The manipulation, conditioning, loss of autonomy and psychological abuse in this series is DARK. Like…actually dark. There were moments where I had to take a minute because some of the things these characters have endured are brutal.
And the PTSD representation and the way Blythe struggles with fear, dissociation, survivor’s guilt and trying to reclaim herself after everything she’s been through really added another layer to the story.
This book is NOT just about the romance. It’s about survival. It’s about trying to reclaim your life after someone else has spent years controlling it. It’s about learning that freedom doesn’t automatically mean you know what to do with it.
And then of course…we have the romance. 👀
The tension, the jealousy, the resentment, the fear of abandonment, the I want you but I don’t know how to fucking trust you energy…YES. Give me all of that messy shit. 😩
And because apparently Paige Alexandria decided we hadn’t suffered enough…we also got the spice. 👀🧎🏻♀️ Rope play. Restraint. Power dynamics. And Keenan calling her “honey.”
Ma’am.
I am only one woman. 😂🧎🏻♀️
While I really enjoyed this book, it wasn’t quite a 5 star for me. There were a few moments where the pacing felt a little uneven and I wanted certain emotional conversations and relationship developments to be explored a little more. After everything these characters had endured, I wanted to SIT in some of those moments longer.
But overall? I was invested. I was stressed. I was emotionally exhausted. And I absolutely needed to know how this whole fucking mess was going to end. 😂
If you’re already invested in this series, obviously you need to read this one. And if you haven’t started it yet…just know you’re signing up for dark romance, secret societies, morally gray men, trauma, psychological warfare, survival, obsession and characters who desperately need therapy but instead keep making questionable decisions. 😂
Basically…my kind of people. 🖤
Paige Alexandria, I have questions. I have concerns. I have emotional damage.
And unfortunately…I’ll probably still be back for more. 😂🖤
a book you don't realize the depth of until it's over
so many emotions i genuinely couldn't form a coherent review the day i finished. i reread it the same day just to stay in it. this is the darkest paige has gone in this series and that's saying something — the twists keep you on your toes with chills for what's coming right up to the last page. triple POV was the right call. getting inside keenan, blythe, and jasper at once means you feel the tension from every angle instead of picking a side and staying blind to the rest. and this isn't why-choose. it's the opposite — it's about how impossible choosing actually is when survival costs you something no matter what you pick. paige does that thing again where the small moments wreck you harder than the big ones. a quiet scene between two people will undo you faster than any danger scene. the ENA stakes are higher than ever and that secret-society dread never once loosens its grip. paige's writing doesn't just leave you in love, it leaves you wanting more — light or darkness, it consumes you either way. she made me fall in love with jasper from one chapter. a moment. an undoing. this book ruined me. i knew the stakes were higher going in, but that ending damaged me into a slump i am still recovering from. a book like this is rare — a gem you don't even realize the depth of until it's over, and then you're wishing you could read it for the first time again. 100 highlights later and this series still has me craving more. if you love secret societies that never let go of what they've taken, morally gray men who ruin themselves protecting someone, survivor heroines who get to be more than what happened to them, and slow-burn tension that hurts in the quiet scenes — start with sage haven and let this series take you apart in order.
I have no words at the moment! That ending has me torn I dont know how to feel, or what to think - I just know that I feel pretty damn shattered.
The Dark of Keenan was the perfect follow up for book 3. The story revolved around Blythe and Keenan being reunited and Jasper trying to find a place outside of the compound after helping Blythe escape. All while the team is trying to investigate the ENA and unravel further secrets that could help take the organization down.
Blythe, Jasper, and Keenan's love triangle is complicated and messy. While her feelings for Keenan never disappeared, she developed new feelings for her savior, Jasper. Honestly, I'm team Jasper all the way. Not only was he her lifeline during her time in the compound, but he helped her escape. I do have a soft spot for Keenan tho.
As we get closer to the 5th and final book I find myself getting sad that this series is close to ending! It just keeps getting better and better, I love it so much. Definitely add these books to your TBR if you haven't already.
Thank you to the author, Paige Alexandria, for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
"I held onto you like-like a tether to the only part of myself that still made sense."
"Men trained to fight wars, dodge bullets, and still forget that sometimes the threat-or the answer-isn't on the ground."
"Because some promises were worse than lies."
🖤Dark romance 🖤Triple POV 🖤Secret society 🖤Survivor heroine 🖤Rope Play 🖤Psychological unraveling
[3.5 stars] This was an interesting installment to the series. Thank you to the author for gifting me this ARC! The Dark of Keenan is a triple POV dark/second chance romance and is the fourth installment to the Black Sigil of Naphal series. It picks up right after Jasper rescues Blythe in Castor Away and continues Jasper, Blythe, and Keenan's story. This is not a happy ending and you definitely need to check your trigger warnings before you read this.
I really enjoyed this story, it was incredibly fast paced and easy to read, I just wish we got more out of it. The prequel of what happened to Blythe was great to see, but it would have been nice to see how Keenan dealt with it and tried to find her. It would have also been nice to see how Blythe was in The Pitch and how her friendship with Jasper developed. I loved the emotions between the trio and the ending was devastating. I did not expect anything like that to happen. I'm just left with more questions than answers and I really hope the next book finally answers everything.
I can't believe this is the second last book in the series. I need so much more!
3.5 out of 5 stars 1 out of 5 spicy peppers Memorable line: ““Try to leave, honey,” I said low. “You won’t get far.” Her eyes widened, then narrowed but I saw the amusement behind them regardless. “Is that a threat?” “It’s a promise.”” Read this if you like: Dark Romance, Second Chance romance, morally grey MC, secret society, rope play F*ck appears: 18 time Spicy chapters: 17
Paige Alexandria’s 4th installment of her black sigil series is her most ambitious yet. This book is different than her others in a few ways. It’s MUCH darker. (hint the name of the book) Things are more complicated. Rather than a two POV which has become Paige’s staple she pushes the boundaries with a triple POV. I’ve never seen this done before and honestly it’s one of the biggest strengths she has as a writer. The way she makes every character real. Every characters personality feels genuine. It’s honestly crazy. Blythe, Keenan and Jasper have a love triangle that makes complicated and nuanced feel like weak definitions. Throughout the story you’ll learn what Keenan was up to for the 8 years Blythe was locked up. You’ll witness Blythe try to handle old love and new love. She will juggle with the feelings she’s developed over those years. Jasper, Keenan and Blythe will have to make some difficult choices for the name of love. The best, and most heart breaking part of the book is the ending. Without spoiling anything, it’s by far the darkest and saddest endings to a book I’ve read in a long, long time. My heart was pounding in my chest for chapters on end wondering what will happen next. Let’s just say, Paige knows how to put the “Dark” in Dark Romance to work. The Dark of Keenan is not for the faint of heart, and don’t expect a happy ending.
The Dark of Keenan, definitely followed through with its name it's MUCH darker than the other 3. We have a fun 3 POVs this go, rather than the usual 2 we've had. I loved the way she made me feel through each character, each specific emotion and personality for the 3 characters. Paige has such an intense and amazing way with her words and she truly puts you IN the book.
This book was the perfect next installment to the series, following Keenan and Blythe and their reunion. We find out what Keenan has been up to over the last 8 years when Blythe was locked up with the ENA. The love triangle in this was deep, complicated and messy. Blythe tangled between her old love, Keenan and her new love and saviour, Jasper. Now I was truly and utterly torn, Jasper was her rock in her time at the compound, and the way he risked it all to help her escape! But Keenan, they had such a love prior to her being taken and the way this man had me feeling!!
The choices that had to be made during this book were dark, and difficult. and the ending of this one truly and honestly left me sobbing and staring at a wall. The biggest heartbreak and saddest one yet. The ugly cry late at night when I was finishing was unmatched.
Knowing this series is coming to end has me so sad, but each book has been better and better. and I cannot wait to see where we go in book 5. This series has truly become one of my favorites!
Definitely get tissues prior to reading this one!!
Thank you so much Paige for another ARC to read, all thoughts were my honest own.
I brag on Paige every chance I get and this time is no exception. She has this way with words that is unlike any other author I’ve read. Her stories flow so effortlessly and suck you in immediately.
The Dark of Keenan is book four in her The Black Sigial of Naphal series. You’re immediately back in the action, but with three POVs this time. Even with multiple POVs, Paige does an amazing job keeping each character’s voice and tone to their chapters.
I won’t give any spoilers about this book, but I will warn you: grab those tissues. I sobbed and snotted all over. What I thought would happen, in fact did not happen and I literally could not believe she (Paige) just did that to me (us readers). I love when Paige tears my heart out — she’s so good at it.
Catch up with books 1-3 before The Dark of Keenan releases on Aug 19. Please check your trigger warnings! This is a dark trauma romance series that can be psychologically distressing while exploring dark themes. Paige is transparent with her content warnings and advises readers to double check them prior to reading.
Thank you to the author for a gifted advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Dark of Keenan by Paige Alexandria ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️
First, I want to start by saying that Paige is one of my favorite authors. Her writing and storytelling are so unique. It’s poetic, smooth, dark, and beautiful all at once—and somehow she always manages to make you feel and think in completely different ways.
Book 4 in The Black Sigil of Naphal series did NOT disappoint. Four books into this series and the emotions are HIGH. And this book? It hits you hard. Like, left hook coming in for the KO. 🥊
I can’t go into too much detail because I refuse to spoil anything, but you get all your favorite characters, three POVs, short and beautifully written chapters, and a lower spice rating—but a much higher emotional damage rating. So just prepare yourself. Your world is about to get rocked.
Personally, I might need a day or two to recover. I cried. A lot. I cussed. A LOT. And now I’m incredibly salty, emotionally wrecked, and desperate for answers. 😭
Books 1–3 are available NOW! Go read them and then come join me with your tissues when you dive into Book 4, The Dark of Keenan, available August 19!
⚠️ Please check the trigger warnings before reading. This is a dark psychological romance, and some topics may be triggering.
Thank you, Paige, for the advanced copy! I’ll forever be one of your Pawns. 🖤
After reading the whole series to far, I really wanted Keenan and Blythe to be together forever. BUT Jasper, became my new favorite character. He is confident, sassy, and loves to get in the nerves of people, especially Keenan.
Keenan, honey, you need to work on your anger issues! Especially in the beginning of the book. You spent EIGHT years waiting for Blythe, and finally she sees you and you’re an a$$hole? Get it together dude.
The characters really pissed me off this book. Jasper for letting go of the ONE person who would go back to the ENA. And KEENAN for mentioning BLYTHES NAME TO THE ENA.
The tropes in the book are both slow-burn (the yearning in Jasper has me swooning) and a second chance romance between Keenan and Blythe.
My only complaint is that I wish the spicy scenes were a bit more detailed instead of a fade to black. But overall this is a great addition to the series. I cannot wait for the final book to see how things turn out.
I will never emotionally recover from this book.
Another thank you to Paige Alexandria for letting me be an ARC member for this series and now on her street team.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Destroyed. Unhinged. Unrecoverable. I went into The Dark of Keenan foolishly believing I couldn't possibly be broken any further by a book. I thought my heart was already guarded, that I knew what kind of pain Paige was capable of throwing at me, and that I was emotionally prepared. I was completely, undeniably wrong. Why did that happen? How did a book manage to reach straight into my chest, rip out a core piece of my soul, and leave me staring at a wall feeling like a shell of a human being? She didn't just write a dark romance, she crafted an absolute emotional execution. The tension, the agonizing depth of the bond, and the sheer brutality of the character arcs caught me completely off guard. You don't just read Keenan's story, you live through it, survive it, and somehow feel like you lost a literal part of yourself when the last page turns. The writing is so raw, atmospheric, and mercilessly intense that it ruins you for every other book you try to pick up afterward. If a book can make you feel this hollow, empty, and utterly obsessed all at once, it deserves every single star in the sky. Read it, if you're ready to leave a piece of your soul behind. I am not okay 😭😭😭
First I’m saying this: HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME like why😭😭💔
Once again Paige has done it again. The Dark of Keenan had me feeling all the emotions. And let me tell you the way Paige writes about feelings is so real and has you feeling them to your core. Paige just writes in a way that makes you drown in these characters, what the characters are going through it’s like you are them and experiencing every raw emotion they have. You honestly can’t stop thinking about them because they become so real, you connect with them and you hold them dearly to your heart rooting for their growth and happiness.
This was one was the most brutal book out of the series, and to tell you that I was not expecting what happened either. I was struggling to breathe, and my heart is beyond shattered. I’ve been waiting for this book and it’s simply not fair. I wanted more time with them😭😭😭 I will not be okay and the same after reading this. You can find me grieving forever.
before reading check the trigger warnings this one is darker than the other 3 and I’m sorry to say this but there’s no HEA.
I don't know if it's the eclipse or if Mercury is in the microwave again, but all the books I've read over the past two weeks have emotionally devastated me. This is definitely one of them.
I can't really say too much because this is book 4 of 5, and literally anything I say will probably spoil something. But what I can say is that I'm so glad there is only one book left because my heart genuinely can't handle this shit anymore. 😂
Paige's writing is always on point, so I loved every second of being back in this world. This book really messes with your mind, and Paige is so good at doing that while also handling some seriously tough situations. And this entire book? One big, giant, emotionally devastating situation.
That being said… BRING ON BOOK 5, PLEASE! I NEED ANSWERS. 😭
Another amazing book, and now I desperately need the fluffiest, happiest book known to man to cleanse my soul after all these dark, heavy and absolutely wrecking books.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Dark of Keenan is book 4 in The Black Sigil of Naphal series and one I recommend to read directly after book 3 to have the events fresh in your mind. This is a quick and easy read that I flew through in about an hour. In this book we have 3 POVs from Keenan, Blythe, and Jasper. They have all played a part in previous books, and we get to learn more of their backstory, which tugs at your heartstrings. This book (and series) has sensitive topics and dark elements so please make sure to check your TWs. Although we get more information within this book there are still some questions I’m excited to learn the answers to.
If you love dark romance, triple POV, second chance (ish) romance, morally gray characters, not why choose, secret society, survivor heroine, PTSD rep, the guard who saved her, rope play, and he calls her “honey” then this is for you.
If you are looking for a series that will DESTROY YOU Emotionally and Psychologically, The Black Sigil of Naphal is the series YOU WANT to read next.
Book 4 in the series has 3 POVs, however, this is NOT a Why Choose book. All other books (1-3) have 2 POVs.
When I say I cried and cried, I’m downplaying it. Truth is, I sobbed with this book. I was not ok. What is done in this book is despicable & unforgiving. And although I read this book 10 days ago, I still cry just thinking about it.
Paige, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS on the Release of “The Dark of Keenan.” Second, emotionally, this book has been the one to get to me the most. It made me feel like I was chewed up and spat on the floor just before a wild herd of horses stampeded over me. Third, I can’t Thank You enough for keeping me in your ARC team since the very beginning. I feel like Book 5 is just around the corner, and though I can’t wait to read the grand finale, Idk if I truly am ready for the series to end. However, I know for a fact I am ready to read your other WIPs. Last, but not least, You have a fan for life.
Thank you to the author for an eARC. All options are my own and freely given.
Another poetically beautiful and dark story from Alexandria. This series truly has my heart, though like in this book, it's also been ripped out!
We have three POVs which create an interesting love-ish triangle dynamic, but not quite. Our tortured Keenan has been trying to find a way to save Blythe, but that's not how she escapes the ENA (as we learn in Castor Away). Jasper is still an unknown, and boy do we get to know him. And Blythe of course has survived literal torture. They all are dealing with the fallout of events from Castor Away, but the ENA won't simply go away. With cameos from previous MCs we're slowly unraveling the mysteries of the ENA. No one is safe and someone is always watching.
This book had me in a ugly cry and had shattered me. This is amazing ending to this perfected series. i loved this book.
KEENAN I was afraid of what saving her would cost me. Now she’s back, and I am willing to break every oath before I lose her again.
BLYTHE I survived the ENA, but freedom doesn’t feel the way I imagined. Keenan Alvey wants to protect me. Jasper Invidia wants me to choose for myself. They took my past. Now they want my future.
JASPER I’ve always stood just outside the story—close enough to protect Blythe Renner, never close enough to be chosen. But when the reckoning comes, survival might mean losing her forever.
Finally getting Blythe and Keenan's story and I was so excited!! And Jasper getting into the mix?!? Wow!!
The continuity between all the books in this series is flawless, the transition only felt when opening a new book. The ENAs presence is at max capacity and the tension is impalpable. Again this is told in multiple POV so we are able to get the perspective for Keenan, Blythe, and Jasper.
I am emotionally destroyed, ugly cried and still came back for more.
If you want a series that is going to put its teeth in you and not let go then this is for you.
I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC and I can't speak enough praise over this opportunity. I came into this world by chance and it was the best series I have come across. Paige speaks volumes with the way she incorporates trauma and represents it in a way that makes you feel safe to be swallowed by its world. The Dark of Keenan had me in a chockhold and I didn't know who's story I was more introgued by. If you need a new series to obsess over that has mysteries you will be unraveling until the end of time you have come to the right place! I loved this book and I cannot wait for the next installment the only thing I am upset about is having to wait!
I was so invested and honestly just wanted to see how everything was going to work out for them. The tension between them was sooo good, and I loved all the little moments between the three of them.
There was a lot going on, but it never felt like I wanted to put the book down. And that ending?? Yeah… I was not ready to leave these characters yet.
Such an emotional ride with the MMCs and the FMC. The pacing and the writing was good. I like how the story is being expanded with more lore about the ENA and other characters. Without spoiling most of the story, I did find the ending satisfying for now. Looking forward to the next book!
Amazing read was really something up my alley, what I like to read. Having read all the book in the set i found it to tie everyone together and show who was who.