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Dark Realms #1
Deadly Secrets
To survive she must become a weapon
Redistributed. Alone. Hunted.
Stripped from her family, Malachi is forced to live a life she did not choose in a city built on lies and betrayal. But the secrets of her past are rising up to kill her. She must be stronger than she’s ever been and learn fast if she hopes to survive.
Death is in Sargon’s dreams. And war in his future.
Many wish to betray him, more wish to destroy him. He trusts only his closest friends. With a dark future, he and his friends must make a decision that will change them forever.
But will the outcome be better or worse?
In Malachi, they discover their greatest challenge. She is a lure the four cannot resist, at a time when it is dangerous for them to be weak. In the Arena, they rule, but at Malachi’s side, they struggle to gain control over the dark change that is consuming them.
Will they find the strength to resist their dark hunger for her...
You'll love this vampire series because every reverse harem reader loves a strong heroine and multiple alpha heroes
Redistributed. Alone. Hunted.
Stripped from her family, Malachi is forced to live a life she did not choose in a city built on lies and betrayal. But the secrets of her past are rising up to kill her. She must be stronger than she’s ever been and learn fast if she hopes to survive.
Death is in Sargon’s dreams. And war in his future.
Many wish to betray him, more wish to destroy him. He trusts only his closest friends. With a dark future, he and his friends must make a decision that will change them forever.
But will the outcome be better or worse?
In Malachi, they discover their greatest challenge. She is a lure the four cannot resist, at a time when it is dangerous for them to be weak. In the Arena, they rule, but at Malachi’s side, they struggle to gain control over the dark change that is consuming them.
Will they find the strength to resist their dark hunger for her...
You'll love this vampire series because every reverse harem reader loves a strong heroine and multiple alpha heroes
- GenresVampires
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2019
277 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Abby James
19 books31 followersAbby James is an incurable romantic and a great adventurer.
Her list of loves is long. At the top is writing great romances, alongside reading great romances.
She hates the mundane, so finds herself creating fantasy worlds and heroes that are larger than life and far from normal.
Her list of loves is long. At the top is writing great romances, alongside reading great romances.
She hates the mundane, so finds herself creating fantasy worlds and heroes that are larger than life and far from normal.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 5, 2019
Rating: 3.5 stars?
Two words:
Complete Mystery
Deadly secrets succeeds to gain your attention but fails to give you enough information to really make you eager to want more. By the end of the book, while we have a sketch of a plot, the mystery is so thick you didn't have the time to be engrossed by the story nor captured by the characters.
It would have worked if only we hadn't gotten multiple points of view. Being thrust in Malachi's shoes would have been enough of a reason for the readers to be constantly kept in the dark but the author decided to make other characters talk, making the book annoyingly secretive. Mystery works. But shadows of a hint keep us interested.
Let's see what the second book has in store for us.
If you're confused and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're confused and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're confused and you know it, if you don't know what's going on,
If you're confused and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're frustrated and you know it, stomp your feet.
If you're frustrated and you know it, stomp your feet.
If you're frustrated and you know it, if you want more but don't know what,
If you're frustrated and you know it, stomp your feet.
Two words:
Complete Mystery
Deadly secrets succeeds to gain your attention but fails to give you enough information to really make you eager to want more. By the end of the book, while we have a sketch of a plot, the mystery is so thick you didn't have the time to be engrossed by the story nor captured by the characters.
It would have worked if only we hadn't gotten multiple points of view. Being thrust in Malachi's shoes would have been enough of a reason for the readers to be constantly kept in the dark but the author decided to make other characters talk, making the book annoyingly secretive. Mystery works. But shadows of a hint keep us interested.
Let's see what the second book has in store for us.
March 6, 2019
Just not a good fit
This book isn't for me. I couldn't get on with the writing style no matter how much I tried. I'm not a fan of mixed POV and I couldn't connect with the characters. There were things that disrupted my reading I.e. a character says something and then in the next line the same character nods his agreement...to what? the point he just made himself? I just couldn't picture it and had to go back and reread some paragraphs twice to try to grasp what was happening and that just isn't enjoyable for me
This book isn't for me. I couldn't get on with the writing style no matter how much I tried. I'm not a fan of mixed POV and I couldn't connect with the characters. There were things that disrupted my reading I.e. a character says something and then in the next line the same character nods his agreement...to what? the point he just made himself? I just couldn't picture it and had to go back and reread some paragraphs twice to try to grasp what was happening and that just isn't enjoyable for me
Read
April 11, 2019DNF 65%
The fact that I even made it to 65% is a feat in itself.
The fact that I even made it to 65% is a feat in itself.
February 21, 2019
Frustratingly Interesting
This book frustrated the hell out of me as most books where everyone but the heroine knows Wtf is going on and no one will answer a straightforward question. Malachi's mom left her and Seb completely ignorant in an irritating way and getting answers is like pulling teeth. Aside from the small truth about her father, Malachi knows squat which is dangerous when obviously more than one faction wants her dead. I hate Sargon's mother, but I don't think she had anything to do with the wolves, but it's possible she did.
Then there's the obviously supernatural things going on with Sargon, Chett, Ryker and now Picard that I'm not even sure they understand. Those wolves seem like werewolves and I'm wondering if Sargon's group is the same or if they're vampires. I really hope book two has more answers because it seems to many sentences out of Malachi's mouth are questions no one will answer. I'm also hoping Merriela doesn't get her claws into Seb. I'd gag.
This book frustrated the hell out of me as most books where everyone but the heroine knows Wtf is going on and no one will answer a straightforward question. Malachi's mom left her and Seb completely ignorant in an irritating way and getting answers is like pulling teeth. Aside from the small truth about her father, Malachi knows squat which is dangerous when obviously more than one faction wants her dead. I hate Sargon's mother, but I don't think she had anything to do with the wolves, but it's possible she did.
Then there's the obviously supernatural things going on with Sargon, Chett, Ryker and now Picard that I'm not even sure they understand. Those wolves seem like werewolves and I'm wondering if Sargon's group is the same or if they're vampires. I really hope book two has more answers because it seems to many sentences out of Malachi's mouth are questions no one will answer. I'm also hoping Merriela doesn't get her claws into Seb. I'd gag.
March 9, 2019
Eh. 3.5
Plot is slow and kind of bland. Not enough information and the writing left something to be desired. However, my main issue was the fact that the main character didn't develop at all throughout the first 2 books. Also what irritates me is she can't stick up for herself, with no spunk, she literally let's the guys walk all over her and knowingly lie to her. She's also very stupid and makes very bad decisions. If I were miss tule I would've kicked her out. A lot of buildup on the secrets in the first 2 books yet nothing has been revealed. Also, considering everything in a book should have a bigger purpose, her past as an (engineer)? Has yet to play a part.
Plot is slow and kind of bland. Not enough information and the writing left something to be desired. However, my main issue was the fact that the main character didn't develop at all throughout the first 2 books. Also what irritates me is she can't stick up for herself, with no spunk, she literally let's the guys walk all over her and knowingly lie to her. She's also very stupid and makes very bad decisions. If I were miss tule I would've kicked her out. A lot of buildup on the secrets in the first 2 books yet nothing has been revealed. Also, considering everything in a book should have a bigger purpose, her past as an (engineer)? Has yet to play a part.
March 13, 2019
Meh at best
I was very interested in this book based on the description, but it’s agonizingly slow. Most of the book is spent World Building to the point that we barely get to know any of the characters. Our main character, Malachi, is downright boring! And she has potential to be so interesting. She has so much spirit and seems to want to be with her family at first, but when she’s re-assimilated she just kind of gives in to what they want. I don’t know, the concept intrigued me, but the execution needs work.
I was very interested in this book based on the description, but it’s agonizingly slow. Most of the book is spent World Building to the point that we barely get to know any of the characters. Our main character, Malachi, is downright boring! And she has potential to be so interesting. She has so much spirit and seems to want to be with her family at first, but when she’s re-assimilated she just kind of gives in to what they want. I don’t know, the concept intrigued me, but the execution needs work.
March 23, 2019
Interesting....
I actually really enjoyed the majority of aspects of this book. I love books with strong female characters. I am not a reader of the sappy romance books and this book fits both of my book requirements. That being said, and the reason for a missing star, the book tends to be too descriptive in certain areas. I found myself speed reading through parts to get back to the story. I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it to people who don't like the typical romance book.
I actually really enjoyed the majority of aspects of this book. I love books with strong female characters. I am not a reader of the sappy romance books and this book fits both of my book requirements. That being said, and the reason for a missing star, the book tends to be too descriptive in certain areas. I found myself speed reading through parts to get back to the story. I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it to people who don't like the typical romance book.
June 22, 2020
Lame Heroine, Story being dragged
The story just kept being dragged along. Malachi starts off as cool, is a technician, and is independent but then the story starts getting boring and I loose interest. We don't learn about the history of the city and why they take people from their towns and relocate them or about how Ms. Tule was able to build that school. The only thing cool about Malachi was her name. She just seems so weak after she leaves her town. I was hoping she would put her technician skills to use but nope.
The story just kept being dragged along. Malachi starts off as cool, is a technician, and is independent but then the story starts getting boring and I loose interest. We don't learn about the history of the city and why they take people from their towns and relocate them or about how Ms. Tule was able to build that school. The only thing cool about Malachi was her name. She just seems so weak after she leaves her town. I was hoping she would put her technician skills to use but nope.
October 23, 2019
Promising storyline. I’m not in love yet, but the series has potential. I’m hoping to learn more about the characters in the second book. It seems like so much time was split between multiple characters that we know only the most basic about each. I feel like I barely even know the heroine, though what I’ve learned so far makes me want to know her personality more. I have high hopes the second book will have greater character details.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2019
Secrets, political intrigue, and sexual tension
This book has all my favorites. Secrets that are life and death, political intrigue and maneuvering, and well-written sexual tension. James writes and interesting mix of fantasy and urban fantasy that makes the unfamiliar familiar. Highly recommend.
This book has all my favorites. Secrets that are life and death, political intrigue and maneuvering, and well-written sexual tension. James writes and interesting mix of fantasy and urban fantasy that makes the unfamiliar familiar. Highly recommend.
May 5, 2019
Vampires? Where?
This first book is really a very long teaser of what, I don't know. By the end, I still have no idea of what is going on. The elite, now four, may or may not be vampires?!? What is up with this ancients business. It's a story I want to know more about, but I really hope the next book doesn't lead to what seems to more questions.
This first book is really a very long teaser of what, I don't know. By the end, I still have no idea of what is going on. The elite, now four, may or may not be vampires?!? What is up with this ancients business. It's a story I want to know more about, but I really hope the next book doesn't lead to what seems to more questions.
February 25, 2019
At this stage of the story, the paranormal aspects have to be inferred by the reader despite the multiple POV which could have pushed it further along without alerting the heroine. The level of technology is hard to pin down. They have cars and cellphones but not guns?
February 27, 2019
Well writen
Good book a little slow this is more of a start a lot of back ground ECT but it has peaked my interest in the story so I'll have to read the next one to find out what happens next
Good book a little slow this is more of a start a lot of back ground ECT but it has peaked my interest in the story so I'll have to read the next one to find out what happens next
May 4, 2019
What a story!!!
This is an incredible story with a slow burn RH!! I loved it, the characters are whole people and the author really thought about what came next.
Can't wait to read book 2. Excellent work James.
This is an incredible story with a slow burn RH!! I loved it, the characters are whole people and the author really thought about what came next.
Can't wait to read book 2. Excellent work James.
May 8, 2019
Pretty amazing
So I felt that this book begin pretty strong with a great story line! I loved the fact that I wasn't rushed into different settings and storylines. I'm curious about the next book, which I will start reading right after this review.
So I felt that this book begin pretty strong with a great story line! I loved the fact that I wasn't rushed into different settings and storylines. I'm curious about the next book, which I will start reading right after this review.
Read
August 28, 2021Liked it
But...boy oh boy doesn't the girl need some basic life lessons? Thought the m.c. could have improved her intelligence but seemed too obtuse for anything to sink in. Enjoyed the story overall, regardless.
But...boy oh boy doesn't the girl need some basic life lessons? Thought the m.c. could have improved her intelligence but seemed too obtuse for anything to sink in. Enjoyed the story overall, regardless.
February 14, 2019
This was
Sooo good. Just missed being a 5 star for me
Sooo good. Just missed being a 5 star for me
March 24, 2019
Dnf
So slow
So much history and explaining and somehow even with that there were still so many secrets and things that did not make sense
So slow
So much history and explaining and somehow even with that there were still so many secrets and things that did not make sense
April 11, 2019
Really good.
April 30, 2019
DNF. I didn’t care for the writing style.
May 4, 2019
I liked this book it jumped around some but it was different. Also ut gets better with each book.
May 12, 2019
I just could not get into it.
December 2, 2020
This book is only ok. It is definitely a slow burn. There is intrigue but if you get annoyed with 200 pages of “I’m not telling you,” don’t read this book.
July 31, 2023
The main character started off strong, but as the book progressed all her spunk disappeared
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews