What do you think?
Rate this book
Darkly Sweet: Rosewood Academy for Witches and Mages #4
Blooming Black
Crushed Dreams and Broken Contracts
When Penny surrenders to Drake, he decides to be a nice mage and make all her dreams come true. Trouble is, someone else is meddling with the tentative balance between the two would-be lovers. The deception sorcerer twists the tangled web tighter and tighter until everyone is caught in their own lies. Because that isn’t enough, the TMD (Technical Magical Department) want the hurters and the witch who made them. With broken contracts, broken heads, and broken hearts, can anything as delicate as love survive?
Reader Warning: This series is ridiculous. You will probably love it. If you're inspired to get your own diabolical weasel or mage, I claim no responsibility for any subsequent bites.
When Penny surrenders to Drake, he decides to be a nice mage and make all her dreams come true. Trouble is, someone else is meddling with the tentative balance between the two would-be lovers. The deception sorcerer twists the tangled web tighter and tighter until everyone is caught in their own lies. Because that isn’t enough, the TMD (Technical Magical Department) want the hurters and the witch who made them. With broken contracts, broken heads, and broken hearts, can anything as delicate as love survive?
Reader Warning: This series is ridiculous. You will probably love it. If you're inspired to get your own diabolical weasel or mage, I claim no responsibility for any subsequent bites.
- GenresFairy TalesFantasy
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2018
93 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Juliann Whicker
73 books219 followersShe loves gardening, crafts, collecting craft books, and all things fantasy, particularly the urban kind.
When she isn't feeding her bernadoodle snacks, she can be found hiding in her garden writing tales of enchantment and romance. Also weirdness.
When she isn't feeding her bernadoodle snacks, she can be found hiding in her garden writing tales of enchantment and romance. Also weirdness.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 15, 2018
Witches and dragons and sorcerers, oh my!
Wow! So many surprises in this book. Some you sort of see coming from the clues in the previous books. But some are totally unexpected. I’m glad to finally be getting some answers to the mystery of penny’s past. And just more details on the world of mages and witches and how it all works. I really love this series and highly recommend it! I can’t wait for book 5! I’m so glad it’s coming out next month.
I received a free ARC. But I still bought it. Because it’s that good, and I believe in supporting good authors.
Wow! So many surprises in this book. Some you sort of see coming from the clues in the previous books. But some are totally unexpected. I’m glad to finally be getting some answers to the mystery of penny’s past. And just more details on the world of mages and witches and how it all works. I really love this series and highly recommend it! I can’t wait for book 5! I’m so glad it’s coming out next month.
I received a free ARC. But I still bought it. Because it’s that good, and I believe in supporting good authors.
August 18, 2018
Mind blowing
I have been in love with this series from the beginning. Penny/Pitch is so easy to love. I can’t wait for the next one!
I have been in love with this series from the beginning. Penny/Pitch is so easy to love. I can’t wait for the next one!
August 17, 2018
5 Stars!!!!!
I seriously can not get enough of this series! I devoured it right up. It’s so whimsical and delightful. I’m surprised more people haven’t read it. It’s a must read! I can’t wait for the next book!
I seriously can not get enough of this series! I devoured it right up. It’s so whimsical and delightful. I’m surprised more people haven’t read it. It’s a must read! I can’t wait for the next book!
August 16, 2018
Nooo
It ended way to soon for me! I swear I'm addicted and the book didn't last very long!!! Ugh. Well I guess I have to wait again for another book. Hopefully not long, fingers crossed, and maybe a new addition the the water girl series too. Hmm.
It ended way to soon for me! I swear I'm addicted and the book didn't last very long!!! Ugh. Well I guess I have to wait again for another book. Hopefully not long, fingers crossed, and maybe a new addition the the water girl series too. Hmm.
August 13, 2018
Hang on...Penny and Drake are going to take you on a wild ride! With alternating POV Blooming black is my favorite book of the series so far. I adore the quirky characters . The dialogue can be absolutely ridiculous and hard to follow at times but will all make sense as you keep reading. So looking forward to the next and final book to see how the heart shaped shrapnel will fall.
August 20, 2018
This book was over too soon. Zach is still insufferable, lol. I'm sad there will only be one more book, because these characters and world really enchant me. The love and violence are intoxicating. I still don't get the memory thing and what it has to do with the bite? Hopefully that is explained in book 5. Penny tricking Drake with a mage oath at the end was TOO GOOD. I'm not sure I can forgive the author for ending the wedding in the middle of proceedings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2018
Flying tea cups, tea parties, exploding hurters, secret labs, blue armors, green jackets, and lovely pink messes. What a lovely story!
Thank you Juliann for transporting to the wonderful world of Rosewood academy. I finally got to meet Serene Night and her Revere. I cannot lie and say that I still hate Zach because I honestly like him better than Drake. Teddy made an appearance and even Signore did two. I missed them. However, Zach got me at "Eat Pizz."
I recommend this book to anyone who likes telenovelas because there are enough traitorous events, lies, secrets, evil fathers, wars, lost memories, lost fathers, new alliances, enough bared chested men, and mustaches.
Thank you Juliann for transporting to the wonderful world of Rosewood academy. I finally got to meet Serene Night and her Revere. I cannot lie and say that I still hate Zach because I honestly like him better than Drake. Teddy made an appearance and even Signore did two. I missed them. However, Zach got me at "Eat Pizz."
I recommend this book to anyone who likes telenovelas because there are enough traitorous events, lies, secrets, evil fathers, wars, lost memories, lost fathers, new alliances, enough bared chested men, and mustaches.
November 4, 2020
This world is so interesting, so weird, I just love reading about it. All characters are incredibly flawed, and usually very aware of it too, which is super fun to read. Are they a toxic? Yes, but then they live in a toxic world, seperate yet together with our human world. And they might just be the least toxic people in their world.
August 27, 2019
My favorite book of the series thus far! Such a twist and turn. Way to make me happy then take it all away!!!!
September 11, 2018
I was a horrible mother for two days until I finished this.
If you've read the first three books then you are intrigued rather than put off by the maze of historical plot points, and the slow and twisty way the author is revealing the truth about penny, drake and (most mysterious to me) zach. We find out more about Penny's relationship with her mother, Drake's family history, and there's even a slightly better side of Wit hinted at - thankfully, because I hate one sided evil-pretty-girl characters. I just wish I had found this series later so that I didn't have to wait for the last book! And yes I was an awful mother to my toddler twins until I finished this book. I mean, I fed them and they didn't get injured or anything but I def took some extra mommy time;)
If you've read the first three books then you are intrigued rather than put off by the maze of historical plot points, and the slow and twisty way the author is revealing the truth about penny, drake and (most mysterious to me) zach. We find out more about Penny's relationship with her mother, Drake's family history, and there's even a slightly better side of Wit hinted at - thankfully, because I hate one sided evil-pretty-girl characters. I just wish I had found this series later so that I didn't have to wait for the last book! And yes I was an awful mother to my toddler twins until I finished this book. I mean, I fed them and they didn't get injured or anything but I def took some extra mommy time;)
August 29, 2018
A wedding, a curse and war
Awesome. Now everyone knows that Pitch is a part of her, or do they? Their love is overwhelming and they are not engaged. When the wedding is disrupted by him standing her up and passing ownership to his BFF, she is heartbroken. A wicked sorcerer is after her and he is using his love to hurt her. Can the two survive? Who is he? Why does he want her? Who is the other witch with no magic? Will the two ever be together and how can she fight the evil inside her and the sorcerer? A wonderful plot but hope the author doesn't spin it for too long as mostly that spoils the series and the impetus that drives the storyline.
Awesome. Now everyone knows that Pitch is a part of her, or do they? Their love is overwhelming and they are not engaged. When the wedding is disrupted by him standing her up and passing ownership to his BFF, she is heartbroken. A wicked sorcerer is after her and he is using his love to hurt her. Can the two survive? Who is he? Why does he want her? Who is the other witch with no magic? Will the two ever be together and how can she fight the evil inside her and the sorcerer? A wonderful plot but hope the author doesn't spin it for too long as mostly that spoils the series and the impetus that drives the storyline.
August 14, 2019
The Darkly Sweet series has become one of my favorite indulgences. In Blooming Black, the twists and surprises keep coming, and the plot thickens. Earlier reviews mention the Mr & Mrs Smith similarities (in tone), but it would also be accurate to add there's a touch of Alice in Wonderland and Addams Family in here too. It's a wonderful blend with great characters. You never know where this author is taking the story, and I love the unpredictability.
March 16, 2020
Heartbreakingly awesome
I love Penny & Drake. I adore how she talks in circles, dresses up rodents and vermin in ridiculous hats and has tea parties with them and makes lollipops to give to random people regardless of their hatred of her. I also love her crazy. It’s only in Juliann’s books that wanting to bite someone’s face off is a normal feeling, haha. No one else’s characters can talk in circles that make sense and be as diabolical as hers.
I love Penny & Drake. I adore how she talks in circles, dresses up rodents and vermin in ridiculous hats and has tea parties with them and makes lollipops to give to random people regardless of their hatred of her. I also love her crazy. It’s only in Juliann’s books that wanting to bite someone’s face off is a normal feeling, haha. No one else’s characters can talk in circles that make sense and be as diabolical as hers.
September 15, 2018
Sooo good
Ok, some of the reviews of previous books had me not wanting to read this series. But I am SO GLAD that I did! While, yes, the formatting could be a little smoother the story itself is so much fun. I am so glad I picked these books up and I'm now looking forward to the last book of the series!
Ok, some of the reviews of previous books had me not wanting to read this series. But I am SO GLAD that I did! While, yes, the formatting could be a little smoother the story itself is so much fun. I am so glad I picked these books up and I'm now looking forward to the last book of the series!
September 19, 2018
Another 5 star book.
I love these characters and this book is no different. Penny and Drake have such a hard time of things but I feel they will all work out in the end. I can not wait for the next book in the series.
I love these characters and this book is no different. Penny and Drake have such a hard time of things but I feel they will all work out in the end. I can not wait for the next book in the series.
November 23, 2019
This story just keeps pulling me in deeper. I do want for Penny to be able to keep her love. Many obstacles are getting in the way. Truths are being found. Wars are being fought. The struggles never seems to end. What next?
May 23, 2023
Penny and Drake
Penny and Drake set the date to get married. But just before they ate married, Drake backs out. War with the deceptive mage continues, and they need to figure out how to deal with him.
Penny and Drake set the date to get married. But just before they ate married, Drake backs out. War with the deceptive mage continues, and they need to figure out how to deal with him.
September 6, 2018
I can’t wait till book 5!!!!!i love your book series!!!!
March 3, 2024
.
These characters are so very addictive. I love the twists and turns that kept me flipping the pages needing more.
These characters are so very addictive. I love the twists and turns that kept me flipping the pages needing more.
July 27, 2024
Macaroons and bon-bons, ho-hos, and lollipops...I'm so mad at Drake!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2025
I really like themes of church, souls, and forgiveness. Excited to see how it gets teased out.
July 30, 2025
great
This series just keeps getting better. I have read the collection out of order, starting with the final couple instead of Penny, who started it all.
This series just keeps getting better. I have read the collection out of order, starting with the final couple instead of Penny, who started it all.
September 15, 2025
3.5 stars.
This was better than the last one, even though there were still many lies between them. I just love reading about Drake's feelings for her ❤️
This was better than the last one, even though there were still many lies between them. I just love reading about Drake's feelings for her ❤️
November 16, 2020
Love the series, but was no happy with the plot twist in this book.
December 6, 2018
Better that the 3rd book. Not sure I'd read the 5th one though if I didn't know it was that last. I'm going to, mostly to see if by some miracle Penny doesn't end up with Drake. It's not even like I ship her with someone else; Drake is just so incredibly awful, the worst. I'm prepared for disappointment and rage though.
June 3, 2024
I slammed through all the books from this world back-to-back. The 4 books and 2 novellas of Darkly Sweet, then the 2 books of Wit the Wicked, then the 3 books of Arrietty in Underland. Each series corresponds to one of the 3 dragon lords. They were all very good. I'm a big fan of this author now.
I adored the Darkly Sweet books - they were ridiculous and funny in the very best ways, with some darker urban fantasy woven through. Penny is the primary character of Darkly Sweet and I adored her. Her love interest Drake (dragonlord of Violence) is also fantastically odd.
The Wit (Whitley) books were also very good, but Wit is a harder heroine to love. I listed to some of these books on Audible for free (virtual voice narration, but not horrible.) Ian is her love interest (dragonlord of Lust).
The Arrietty books were the most violent and edgy with a lot less humor than the other books, which I suppose makes sense for Prince, the dragonlord of Death.
I adored the Darkly Sweet books - they were ridiculous and funny in the very best ways, with some darker urban fantasy woven through. Penny is the primary character of Darkly Sweet and I adored her. Her love interest Drake (dragonlord of Violence) is also fantastically odd.
The Wit (Whitley) books were also very good, but Wit is a harder heroine to love. I listed to some of these books on Audible for free (virtual voice narration, but not horrible.) Ian is her love interest (dragonlord of Lust).
The Arrietty books were the most violent and edgy with a lot less humor than the other books, which I suppose makes sense for Prince, the dragonlord of Death.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews