Dark Bringer

Kingdom of Runes #5

by Audrey Grey

Don't miss the explosive finale to the bestselling KINGDOM OF RUNES saga!

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Young Adult, Fae, High Fantasy

Paperback

Reviews

[Bethie_books]

⭐⭐⭐
Edit, Edit, Edit:

AN APPROPRIATE DATE HAS BEEN SET. REPEAT. AN APPROXIMATE DATE HAS BEEN SET!!! Audrey posted on Instagram, in January, that her plans to release this book will be towards the end of 2023! So so excited!!!! We're still supporting you Audrey!❤️🤩🎉🥳

⭐⭐⭐
Edit, Edit:

Y'all, we have an update from Audrey! I'm personally not going to post it, because it is a LONG post in my comments (toward the bottom). You should go check it out! Audrey, just know that you have many supportive readers who are still rooting for you! I'll still be one of the first ones there for your pre-order!🤗❤️😁

⭐⭐⭐
Edit:

What is going on with the release of this book?!?! Anyone know what is going on? Several people have said that their pre-orders have been canceled and it is no longer showing on Kindle. I've tried to research on the internet to see if anyone knows what's going on, but no one seems to...🙄😒

⭐⭐⭐

I ran across this series almost a week ago through my Kindle recommendations and lettttt meeee jusst tellll youuuu, this series has literally wrecked my life!

Binge-reading a series that has yet to release the last book is torturous and I don't know how I can forgive myself for being lulled into this amazing series so quickly! I feel like my life has no purpose other than to keep checking my Kindle app to see if this book is out yet, even though I know it doesn't come out till August!😝😫 Pre-order, here I come!!!

[Alina ✵]

Edit Edit Edit Edit: It's been more than 1+ year since her last update and I'm trying so hard to hold on. But at the same time, I feel like it's time to move on. So sad. I wish her well, but I'm honestly very disappointed with the lack of transparency the author has with her readers.

Edit Edit Edit: It's safe to say that Grey is still working on this book! No matter when it is released, the author needs to put her own needs first before us readers. Let's just offer our support and wait patiently. Hey, if the fans of GOT can do it, we can too.

Edit edit: Does anyone else think this book is never going to be released? 🙃

Edit: Now that the release date is TBA, I'm still thirsty for Stolas. I'm crossing my fingers it's released early next year!

August is so far away, yet so close at the same time. I can't wait to dive back in. My thirsty ass misses Stolas.

[DayZxro · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025 Update:

I'm still rooting for this series. It may or may not ever come, but this series holds a special place on my shelf for what it provided to my world regardless. I was postpartum, reading well into the night and early hours of the morning finding whatever moment to myself as an exhausted first time mum I could.

This series captivated me, and truly swept me away. I fell in love with the world and the characters so much. The physical copies of these books are on my shelf in their special spot right at the top.

For the experience of falling in love with this world, the waiting game will never end for me. I'll always stand by Aubrey. If that's never writing this series end, may it live on! Maybe that's the whole point, maybe there isn't supposed to be an ending. Maybe that's not the way this series is supposed to go, and that's okay with me. Life happens.

It's okay to be disappointed. It's a fantastic series. But don't lose heart for what a brilliant read the books are, let them live on with their stories - because damn is it a great story. Take the great and don't worry about the rest. It'll come or it won't, and enjoy it for what it is while you're at it.

I'll be honest, if I was a writer and needed time away and saw how readers reacted - I don't know if I'd want to work my butt off to get the book out any faster, if at all. Sometimes true colours show in situations, and respectfully, people haven't been the kindest. It's difficult to feel the effort, desire or will to get creative when the pressure is on, and not kind pressure either. Just remember Audrey doesn't owe anyone anything. This was her craft, she provided what she has, she doesn't owe anyone any more. Paths change.

For what it's worth, it's a fantastic series. Even without further books written, it's a phenomenal journey and I highly encourage anyone reading this to give it a go if you aren't sure. Enjoy the ride! It's fantastic.

5/5 stars for all of it.

----------


Audrey, I don't know if you have been seeing these or not but we all are rooting for you. Whether you have hit walls of doubt, delaying releasing the book out of uncertainty or what not - we all love and appreciate the world that you have built.

Perhaps Covid has given you a bit of an eye opener with other passions or projects, not sure, maybe you just are embracing family time and just taking time away from the keyboard - that's understandable. These things happen.

As your fans, your readers, we cherish your stories that you have given us. We are hoping for the best with this series, and we all are dying to see where things go. Hopefully you decide in time to release it, or maybe not, but here's to hoping you do. 🙌

[Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

FROM AUDREY'S FACEBOOK PAGE, re the release of DARK BRINGER thought this might help you all


To my readers who have waited so patiently for the release of Dark Bringer, book five in the KINGDOM OF RUNES series—after a lot of consideration, I have decided to postpone the release. This decision wasn’t made lightly, but at the end of the day, I have to make the best choice for the story.

The KINGDOM OF RUNES—which started as a gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling in an anthology—quickly stole my heart and became a vast world I could have never envisioned. The characters, the magic and history—all of it has enraptured my creative spirit and kept me interested beyond book one, a feat for my wandering mind.

Because I hold this series—and its beloved characters—in such high regard, I know the decision to push back the release date is the right one. I want to get Haven, Stolas, Archeron, Bell, and the rest of the crew’s stories right.

They deserve that. YOU deserve that.

I am sorry for making you wait, but I promise the final version will be worth it. As of now, Amazon has promised to let me keep my pre-order abilities—normally they remove an author’s access to pre-orders for an entire year if a pre-order is cancelled. If that’s true, I will put up another pre-order in a month or so, as soon as I have a better idea of the new release date.

Thanks again for being the best readers a girl could ask for. If you want to stay updated on the new pre-order, come hang out with us in my reader group, GREYLINGS.

Join my group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Greyl...

You can also sign up for a one time email from my newsletter that will alert you when DARK BRINGER releases!

Sign up for the one time email (this will NOT subscribe you to my regular monthly email): https://www.subscribepage.com/dbwaitlist

P.S. There’s a rumor that the cover for DARK BRINGER may have made an appearance in my reader group. *wink wink*

XOXO,
Audrey

[ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please release the book. We've waited for long enough and can't wait for more 😭😭😭

[K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the whole series and have been waiting for not only the book to be released, but even a tiny update from the author. Bummer. So many other great authors out there who genuinely care for their readers and give updates, ESPECIALLY after cancelling a scheduled book release. Big yikes.

[Vicky]

I can't wait.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think this book is coming out with so many delays, very disappointed

[Destiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there any update on the last book? Im really enjoying the books, I’m on book two and I’m nervous to keep reading if there’s no release date 🫠😅 Has to be soon right ? 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[nicole ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

girl i swear if you don't release this damn book 😒

[Alicia]

All I want for Christmas… is Stolas Darkshade. I.e. this book.
(Audrey you’re a queen so no pressure; serve us that magic when you’re ready… but in the meantime… a girl can dream.)

[The Arcist · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's made an update on her FB page. She is writing, no promises or dates.

Patiently waiting 💙

[Hope · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author released a statement only to a group she manages on Facebook admitting to basically being a pos who went into hiding after leading everyone on and now she’s sorry and says she’s writing again. She also says she focused instead on family and travel, which was obvious from what little she did post, but didn’t forget to name drop in her statement that she’s a de facto lawyer. She said this book is her current work in process but gives no time lines or promises at all. And also says she’s deleting negative comments in her group and will be moderating all posts going forward to prevent “negative” comments. Honestly it felt like a post to get pity and make people feel bad for her and still follow her/buy her books.

Read it if you’d like below.
Posted March 11, 2025

“Hey, everyone. There has been a lot of chatter in here and I wanted to say a few words.

Firstly, to those voicing their frustration, anger, and/or disappointment, your comments are valid. It stinks when someone reaffirms our belief that people don’t care, that we can’t trust anyone, or that we’re not valued. I can only imagine my silence feels like all of those things and more and for that, I’m truly sorry. You are absolutely right that I could have updated the group and, if I’m being totally vulnerable, I ducked my head and avoided anything related to my books or readers because facing my inability to write (or at least execute at my previous level) was shame inducing. It was also selfish and a bit cowardly and, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize.

Secondly, after a long break, I can finally say I’m in a much better place. Creating my stories has always been part madness, part magic, and lots of willpower to make all of the complex threads somehow come together into a cohesive tapestry. The last several years I had the madness but lost the magic and execution. Honestly, the grief I’ve felt over being unable to create was all-consuming. I put writing aside. Stopped daydreaming about climactic action scenes in the shower and sitting in the grocery parking lot, waiting for the scene that materialized in my head to play out (you would be surprised how many came to me like this). All this to say, I stopped trying to force it and focused on my kids, few close friends, and family. I’ve worked out. I’ve traveled. I’ve started cooking every meal in an effort to save money (not sure it’s working 😳). I’ve discovered perimenopause and all that entails (0/10 do not recommend). I’ve rescued two cats and discovered they are fluffy angels in disguise. I’ve even become a de facto lawyer on the Justin Baldoni/Blake Lively case. And somewhere between the mundane and the just living part, my artistic side reawakened.

All of this leads to the third thing. I am writing again. Not just writing, but CREATING. Entering that mystical flow state of creation that honestly, for me, feels like a euphoric drug. And yes. The WIP is Dark Bringer, book five in the KoR saga. I assume for most of you this news is anticlimactic, but for me it’s the unburdening of the fear that I would never write again—which honestly felt like losing a huge part of myself.

Yes, there are authors who consistently produce books. I know because I used to be one. And now I’m not. That statement is hard to admit and awakens the A-hole inner critic that always believed I could power through anything. The one who believed only weak people struggled. It’s something I never asked for but probably needed, a humbling lesson on being human. A messy, imperfect, sometimes frail, sometimes disappointing, and sometimes badass human who has made lots of mistakes but tries to learn from them.

No promises. No timeline declarations or assurances. Cutting out social media has been extremely beneficial and I plan to go forward as privately as possible, not because you guys have been negative—you’ve actually been uncommonly gracious and kind—but because I want to focus solely on creating and my family. I completely understand anyone who wants to leave the group and/or will never buy any of my books again. I don’t blame you.

For those who somehow want to stick around despite all my failings, despite my messiness, my broken promises and disappointments, the only pledge I WILL make is that I will do everything I can to finish this series. And when I’m close to putting a preorder up, you guys will be the first to know.

Also, I just wanted to say that in a world of near-constant online negativity and judgement, I see you guys choosing to be amazingly compassionate human beings and it’s humbling 🥹

For the few who are rightfully angry, I have mostly tolerated the negative posts in this group because I believe in free expression, but for the sake of the OG members (AKA saints 👀) who still love and care about these books and characters and deserve a positive environment, I am going to have the negative posts taken down and future posts moderated.

While my social media hiatus means I normally don’t check my messages, the next couple days I’ll be open to anyone who feels hurt or upset and wants to talk.

Love you guys! ❤️

P.S. Pic is of first rescue cat who showed up emaciated and near death on our driveway and is now spoiled beyond reason. She likes to help me plot by lounging on my notebook, looking adorable, and chewing my pens. 😻”

[Amelie Schmidt]

EDIT: News from the author!

Grey made a Facebook post two days ago, where she stated that she would write again. She apologized (what surprisingly hampered my angry feeling’s) and did not promise anything, but that she would try to finish the series and would take another social media break.
I’m still a bit fuming about the whole special edition thing and a few others, but her post gave me hope, for as I said a while ago: I really love this story.
Now here we go again waiting.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I'm loosing hope.
I really really loved this series, but I'm getting quite unwilling to support this author any longer, when she just keeps ghosting her followers.
Sad thing. RIP Haven & Stolas 🖤

[Dana Bystrianska · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series, same as Evermore academy.

At this point I think we all know that there will be no book 5 . Which is okay.
What, however in my eyes is not okay is the way author choose to approach this whole thing. She don't need to explain her personal decisions and what is going in with her life - that is her right. But she should have some respect towards her fans, towards people who spend money on her books, who actively recommended her books, and support her during this series.
It is shame, and in my opinion, it shows how little she cares about her fans. There are other authors, who too, struggles with finishing their series (look at Samanta Shannon), but at least they do update their fans on regular basis

It is really sad.

[Almira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. I don’t know what happened. I received an email from Amazon that the title was canceled!! I waiting to binge read!!

[SER]

Came to see if this series was finished yet and I'm surprised the final book still isn't out. It's been years. I'm seriously wondering if the author had a falling out with her publisher or something at this point.

[Shannon Walsh · Rating 1 out of 5]

WARNING TO READERS: The last book came out almost 4 years ago. I am confident that this series will be unfinished. Please don't read the series only to be left on a cliff hanger.

[Marissa]

can't believe we still have to wait four months for this, september 30th can't come soon enough!

[Lindsey Robison (theinfernalqueen)]

All I’ve been able to think about for months is HOW BADLY I NEED THIS BOOK.

[Dh]

Can’t wait to read. The previous four are amazing.
Anxiously waiting.

[Book]

Such a great underrated series! Can’t wait to see how it all ends!!

[Jenna Gro]

All - I have RELENTLESSLY followed up on this installment since I finished the series. I went into this series with low expectations, and then it just blew me out of the water with each book. (Much like the Plated Prisoner Series)

ANYWAY...to my point. I just checked Instagram and the tentative publish date will be in late 2023 and I am SCREAMING inside because I just had one of those gut feelings that it would be another two years before we saw this book. I was willing to wait until whenever Audrey was ready, because we cannot begin to understand what she is going through, but what a PLEASANT and WELCOME piece of news!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHH! :)

[Sety.R.E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hear we have a almost-date?? I read the whole series in a week and i was addicted almost suffered a stroke realizing this book's faith is unknown! But omg!
I can't wait to get my hands on this book
But i think we all realize we all got personal needs and i say i support the author very much hope you're doing ok<3
Edit: i just think imma need a week off before so i can re read all i remember is that Stolas can step on me and i don't mind...

[Neil Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books and can't wait for 5 but after reading about the Facebook post I feel like the Author needs to do what's best for her. Yes I really want to read the book 5 ,but I also have compassion. I read a lot of negative comments. How is that supposed to help anyone ? Writer block is a real thing. I pray she is able to start back writing sense it is her passion and life is going good for her.

[Aiden Wisotsky]

Anyone know how to buy it in America it’s not listed on Amazon or Barnes and nobles. Is it just not out when I searched it up it said it released in September 2023

[Jacqueline]

Is there any updates on The Dark bringer? Any at all?? It’s December 2024

[Marina Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m dying when is this coming out. Pleaseeeeee

[Monica Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

2025 and still waiting…... I love this series and cannot wait for the final book. Does anyone know if the author is still writing?

[Deilys Maria]

Amazing😍😍😍