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The Dark Side of the Sun
Alora Silvercrath, a healer with erratic fire and wind magic, is desperate to prove herself when her coven plans to raid a nest of dark, bloodthirsty creatures threatening their existence. But a strange gift from her aunt creates a portal to another world, pulling Alora through to the dying planet Sartuun, where a spreading Darkness consumes all life. The king, blaming magic for their planet’s ruin, hunts all who wield power—yet his bloodlust only feeds the dark, evil energies, and whispers of an insurgence begin to rise.
After unknowingly breaking Sartuun’s laws, Alora is captured by Endor—a cold, mysterious warrior loyal to the crown above all. Ordered to face judgment before the king, she’s promised freedom if found innocent. But with each battle against hungry beasts, murderous thieves, and raging zealots, the contempt between them sparks into a forbidden attraction. When Alora’s growing magic reveals she’s the prophesied warrior destined to ignite the battle between the king’s dark legion and tyrannized rebel forces, Endor must betray Alora to his king or fight beside her in the coming war.
Now Alora must choose whether to return to Earth to protect her people against the dark creatures or follow her heart and embrace her magic to fulfill destiny—for the fight between the Light and Darkness extends beyond Sartuun, and unless it is stopped, her home will be next.
After unknowingly breaking Sartuun’s laws, Alora is captured by Endor—a cold, mysterious warrior loyal to the crown above all. Ordered to face judgment before the king, she’s promised freedom if found innocent. But with each battle against hungry beasts, murderous thieves, and raging zealots, the contempt between them sparks into a forbidden attraction. When Alora’s growing magic reveals she’s the prophesied warrior destined to ignite the battle between the king’s dark legion and tyrannized rebel forces, Endor must betray Alora to his king or fight beside her in the coming war.
Now Alora must choose whether to return to Earth to protect her people against the dark creatures or follow her heart and embrace her magic to fulfill destiny—for the fight between the Light and Darkness extends beyond Sartuun, and unless it is stopped, her home will be next.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2026
About the author
H.C. Newhouse
1 book3 followersH.C. Newhouse spends her days dreaming that orchards are dark forests, puddles lead to other realms, and frogs wear crowns when no one’s looking. When she’s not pounding doppio espressos and tapping away at the keyboard, she’s snuggling with her high school sweetheart, running a specialty crop farm, and chasing her army of cats and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Exceptionally well written - the author folds the description into the normal action so skillfully that the reader doesn't notice. The main character is both likable and fun. I was surprised by the story's universe - it's an original blend of the paranormal (witches and magic), fantasy (fantastical creatures and good-looking guys with pointed ears), and science fiction (many worlds/planets, different intelligent species, a few spaceships). It shouldn't work, but it does. While this is the first in a series and it's clear that there's more to come, there are no cliffhangers - the book is fully satisfying. Five out of five.
October 25, 2026
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!! This book has it all for me! Fantasy, romance, humor, witchy vibes, quest driven, angst, crazy creatures, a strong FMC and a grumpy MMC (my fav!)😂 But the cliffhanger…. Ahhh, I need the next book ASAP!
The writing is beautifully done and it paints every scene so clearly, which I love. Her journey is so much more than just finding home, it’s about finding her true self. And when an author can build that tension between the two characters for the romance aspect, it just hooks me. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings.
Go get this book, you won’t regret it!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!! This book has it all for me! Fantasy, romance, humor, witchy vibes, quest driven, angst, crazy creatures, a strong FMC and a grumpy MMC (my fav!)😂 But the cliffhanger…. Ahhh, I need the next book ASAP!
The writing is beautifully done and it paints every scene so clearly, which I love. Her journey is so much more than just finding home, it’s about finding her true self. And when an author can build that tension between the two characters for the romance aspect, it just hooks me. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings.
Go get this book, you won’t regret it!
October 26, 2026
The Dark Side of the Sun is H.C. Newhouse’s debut novel and the first book in the Silverblood Trilogy, and I have to give her credit for the sheer amount of imagination and creativity that went into building this world!
The story follows Alora Silvercrath, a young woman whose magic returns stronger than ever after mysteriously disappearing. When she’s unexpectedly transported to another world, she finds herself surrounded by unfamiliar beings, dangerous creatures, advanced technology, political unrest, and a mysterious warrior named Endor.
And let me tell you, there is A LOT going on. 😂
There are different realms, covens, species, magic systems, prophecies, and so many characters and places to keep track of. While I appreciate detailed worldbuilding, I sometimes struggled to follow all the names and terminology being introduced. There were moments when I felt like I was spending more time trying to understand the world than actually becoming immersed in the story.
That being said, there were definitely things I enjoyed!
One of my favorite touches was the illustrations of the different creatures throughout the book. They were such a fun addition and really helped bring some of the author’s imaginative creations to life.
I also enjoyed watching Alora discover more about herself and her abilities while navigating a world she knows very little about. Her relationships with Endor and her guardian Amarok added some interesting dynamics, and I appreciated the mystery surrounding Endor’s character.
For me, the biggest struggle was the pacing. While there was plenty happening throughout the book, it didn’t always translate into feeling fully invested in the story. It wasn’t until closer to the end that things really started picking up and holding my attention.
And the ending? Definitely more exciting! The action, revelations, and unanswered questions made the final portion of the book much more engaging for me.
Overall, I think H.C. Newhouse has created an incredibly ambitious fantasy world, especially for a debut novel. There is clearly a lot of creativity and potential here. I just wish some of the worldbuilding had been introduced more gradually so I could have connected with the characters and storyline a little more.
I wouldn’t say I disliked this book, because I didn’t. It just didn’t completely pull me in the way I hoped it would.
I’m still undecided about whether I’ll continue the series, but I can absolutely see this appealing to readers who enjoy intricate fantasy worlds, multiple realms, unusual magical creatures, prophecies, and a blend of magic and futuristic technology.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The story follows Alora Silvercrath, a young woman whose magic returns stronger than ever after mysteriously disappearing. When she’s unexpectedly transported to another world, she finds herself surrounded by unfamiliar beings, dangerous creatures, advanced technology, political unrest, and a mysterious warrior named Endor.
And let me tell you, there is A LOT going on. 😂
There are different realms, covens, species, magic systems, prophecies, and so many characters and places to keep track of. While I appreciate detailed worldbuilding, I sometimes struggled to follow all the names and terminology being introduced. There were moments when I felt like I was spending more time trying to understand the world than actually becoming immersed in the story.
That being said, there were definitely things I enjoyed!
One of my favorite touches was the illustrations of the different creatures throughout the book. They were such a fun addition and really helped bring some of the author’s imaginative creations to life.
I also enjoyed watching Alora discover more about herself and her abilities while navigating a world she knows very little about. Her relationships with Endor and her guardian Amarok added some interesting dynamics, and I appreciated the mystery surrounding Endor’s character.
For me, the biggest struggle was the pacing. While there was plenty happening throughout the book, it didn’t always translate into feeling fully invested in the story. It wasn’t until closer to the end that things really started picking up and holding my attention.
And the ending? Definitely more exciting! The action, revelations, and unanswered questions made the final portion of the book much more engaging for me.
Overall, I think H.C. Newhouse has created an incredibly ambitious fantasy world, especially for a debut novel. There is clearly a lot of creativity and potential here. I just wish some of the worldbuilding had been introduced more gradually so I could have connected with the characters and storyline a little more.
I wouldn’t say I disliked this book, because I didn’t. It just didn’t completely pull me in the way I hoped it would.
I’m still undecided about whether I’ll continue the series, but I can absolutely see this appealing to readers who enjoy intricate fantasy worlds, multiple realms, unusual magical creatures, prophecies, and a blend of magic and futuristic technology.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 10, 2026
A great read! Escape from reality into the unique world create by debut Author H.C. Newhouse.
I adore genre mashups! The Silverblood Trilogy mixes paranormal elements (witches), with a sci story line (parallel universes), sprinkled with a big dose of fantasy (magic and magical creatures).
In The Dark Side of the Sun we follow the adventures of Healer Alora Silvercrath as she starts to come into her powers in a world under threat by a dark enemy. But before she can convince her people to let her fight in an upcoming battle, Alora finds herself tricked and swept through a portal into another universe where magic is considered dangerous and those that weld it are often killed.
Taken prisoner by an alien warrior she goes on an epic adventure across a dying land full of hostile creatures that, at every turn, try their best to kill her. In this world her magic is more powerful and she uses it to protect herself. But when her magic is not enough he is there to battle on her behalf. But is this alien warrior, Endor, her enemy or her ally? And what about this growing attraction between them?
This book has Magic, romance, and epic battles galore! I can’t wait to continue Alora’s adventure in book 2!
I adore genre mashups! The Silverblood Trilogy mixes paranormal elements (witches), with a sci story line (parallel universes), sprinkled with a big dose of fantasy (magic and magical creatures).
In The Dark Side of the Sun we follow the adventures of Healer Alora Silvercrath as she starts to come into her powers in a world under threat by a dark enemy. But before she can convince her people to let her fight in an upcoming battle, Alora finds herself tricked and swept through a portal into another universe where magic is considered dangerous and those that weld it are often killed.
Taken prisoner by an alien warrior she goes on an epic adventure across a dying land full of hostile creatures that, at every turn, try their best to kill her. In this world her magic is more powerful and she uses it to protect herself. But when her magic is not enough he is there to battle on her behalf. But is this alien warrior, Endor, her enemy or her ally? And what about this growing attraction between them?
This book has Magic, romance, and epic battles galore! I can’t wait to continue Alora’s adventure in book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love a good portal fantasy story.
Alora's planet (Earth) is under attack from the Darkness, which her coven is fighting. But she gets transported to another world where they are fighting a similar bad guy. Where along the way, she meets Endor, discovers newer/stronger power and abilities and literally makes friends with everyone. This is a slow burn enemies to lovers, prophecy, betrayals, portal fantasy story. It checks so many boxes.
I binged this book in about 2 days. I couldn't put it down. We have our bubbly FMC and our grumpy MMC. The author drops subtle hints throughout the book but there's so much happening, they weren't always so obvious until way later. I LOVED this aspect. Sometimes it feels like the foreshadowing is so obvious and makes the book predictable but not this one. And I could actually relate to the FMC. She wasn't dumb or stubborn just to keep the plot going. She was smart, sassy and only a little in denial. And Endor was HOT.
I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize how good this book is. And I can't wait until book 2.
Alora's planet (Earth) is under attack from the Darkness, which her coven is fighting. But she gets transported to another world where they are fighting a similar bad guy. Where along the way, she meets Endor, discovers newer/stronger power and abilities and literally makes friends with everyone. This is a slow burn enemies to lovers, prophecy, betrayals, portal fantasy story. It checks so many boxes.
I binged this book in about 2 days. I couldn't put it down. We have our bubbly FMC and our grumpy MMC. The author drops subtle hints throughout the book but there's so much happening, they weren't always so obvious until way later. I LOVED this aspect. Sometimes it feels like the foreshadowing is so obvious and makes the book predictable but not this one. And I could actually relate to the FMC. She wasn't dumb or stubborn just to keep the plot going. She was smart, sassy and only a little in denial. And Endor was HOT.
I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize how good this book is. And I can't wait until book 2.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I don’t usually reach for epic fantasy, but this one completely took me by surprise. Alora Silvercrath is a healer with erratic fire and wind magic, desperate to prove herself to her coven, and I rooted for her the moment a strange gift from her aunt pulled her through a portal to the dying planet of Sartuun, where a spreading Darkness consumes everything. Captured by Endor, a cold, mysterious warrior loyal to the crown, she faced hungry beasts, murderous thieves, and raging zealots, and watching their contempt spark into a forbidden attraction kept me up far too late. When her growing magic revealed she was the prophesied warrior, I couldn’t wait to see whether Endor would betray her or fight beside her. The battles, mysterious creatures, and slow burn romance pulled me in, and I’m excited for the next two books.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
November 8, 2026
I'm going to be honest.
I loved it. It's pretty long based off how long it took me to read it but I could just be reading slower than usual. It is definetly the type of book you just want to live in for a while. I don't know what to say as toward like writing cause my own grammar and writing skills are... passable. Story wise I can tell you it's great. Definetly enemies to lovers vibes. I definetly saw one moment of "what happened to you"/ "Who did this to you". Gotta say i'm close to the end and it stings what happened. I'm holding out hope but... tsk tsk I expected better from Endor. Alas that is the way of characters. The writer did a great job I felt everything he did personally. I can't say more without spoilers
I loved it. It's pretty long based off how long it took me to read it but I could just be reading slower than usual. It is definetly the type of book you just want to live in for a while. I don't know what to say as toward like writing cause my own grammar and writing skills are... passable. Story wise I can tell you it's great. Definetly enemies to lovers vibes. I definetly saw one moment of "what happened to you"/ "Who did this to you". Gotta say i'm close to the end and it stings what happened. I'm holding out hope but... tsk tsk I expected better from Endor. Alas that is the way of characters. The writer did a great job I felt everything he did personally. I can't say more without spoilers
October 30, 2026
I really enjoyed this read!! I loved the uniqueness of the world that the author has created and the world building was incredible. The only reason it was not 5 stars for me was because it took me a while to get into it and invested. However once I was, I was absolutely hooked!!
This story is full of action, plot twists, and everything one could want from a fantasy book! I laughed, shed a few tears, and sat on the edge of my seat while reading. Alora is a great FMC whose journey and growth is incredible to see!! Also, I need more Endor!!
The ending sets up book 2 perfectly and I connot wait to keep reading about this world!!
This story is full of action, plot twists, and everything one could want from a fantasy book! I laughed, shed a few tears, and sat on the edge of my seat while reading. Alora is a great FMC whose journey and growth is incredible to see!! Also, I need more Endor!!
The ending sets up book 2 perfectly and I connot wait to keep reading about this world!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story is an epic fantasy adventure with a slow burn attraction. This book took me on an adventure!
The character and world building was beautiful, the twists and turns to the story were wonderfully exciting! This isn't your same story with predictable outcomes, this author's imagination really shines with every surprise twist while painting a beautiful colorful world full of unique characters. I fell in love with these people, I'm emotionally invited! It does end on a cliff hanger that will leave your jaw on the floor, book two is worth the wait.
The character and world building was beautiful, the twists and turns to the story were wonderfully exciting! This isn't your same story with predictable outcomes, this author's imagination really shines with every surprise twist while painting a beautiful colorful world full of unique characters. I fell in love with these people, I'm emotionally invited! It does end on a cliff hanger that will leave your jaw on the floor, book two is worth the wait.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've never really been into epic fantasy or sci-fi books, so I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when I started this one. This book completely took me by surprise! Between the battles, magic, mysterious beasts and a little romance, I found myself completely drawn into the story. There were nights I stayed up way too late reading because I had to know what happened next. I never expected to enjoy this genre as much as I did and now I'm so excited for the next two books!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Alora Silvercrath is a healer with erratic fire and wind magic, desperate to prove herself to her coven! She then is captured by the cold warrior Endor.
I love the world building of this story! It feels so fresh and unique compared to many fantasy books.
The battles, mysterious creatures, and slow burn romance pulled me in, and I’m excited for the next book. I definitely recommend!!!!
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was the BEST BOOK I have read of 2026 so far! I am on book 247 and this is by far my favorite! The immersive storytelling and the emotional connection H.C. Newhouse creates between you and the characters is incredible! The way I FELL and I mean fell into the world she created and never wanted to leave. Book two can’t get here fast enough!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was AMAZING!!! Such an amazing start to a three part masterpiece. I wish I can go back in time and reread it again for the first time. This was my first introduction to a fantasy novel and I am now hooked.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An epic sci fi fantasy with a touch of romance and magical mystery. The world building was beautiful and immersive. The characters make you care for them and the mystery keeps you invested. Can't wait for the rest of the series.
October 30, 2026
The world building in this book was amazing and refreshing. The writer did a really good job with the descriptions and the FMC's character arc. I did feel a little lost in some parts of the book and overwhelmed by all the events going on at some point, but it was a fun read. Very entertaining.
If you love the unlikely heroine trope, with dark magic, prophecy, portals and forbidden romance, then you definitely have to read this.
If you love the unlikely heroine trope, with dark magic, prophecy, portals and forbidden romance, then you definitely have to read this.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews