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Dulcea's Rebellion #2

Down A Darker Path

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To win, she must lose. To succeed, she must fail.

The time has come.
Dulcea must choose what is important to her.

Krath -- the handsome, immortal vampire warrior -- who rescued her from enemy hands, has proven himself to be a kindred spirit and a possible ally.
Yet, neither Dulcea's dragons nor her army are willing to accept such a dark hero.

The golden dragons have long been her allies, but their power is limited. They are no match for the demon Grom, but they alone bring hope to her army.

What is the right way forward?
What will Dulcea choose, and will her choice doom the world – or save it?

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2021

9 people are currently reading
15 people want to read

About the author

Laura Maybrooke

6 books75 followers
“I live in my own little world. But it’s ok, they know me here.” (Who besides me has this fridge magnet; raise your hand!)

That’s sometimes what it feels like. Who says stories aren’t real? I live in the land of the Midnight Sun and Polar Nights, together with my husband and daughter, and a cast of fantasy characters running around in my head. It’s busy here. Care to stay and chat a while?

Laura Maybrooke is an 80s’ child, who works too much and writes too little, but who’ll never say no to a thrilling romance, a high fantasy adventure, or a cookbook full of delicious treats she’d like to bake one day.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Anya Pavelle.
Author 6 books122 followers
May 18, 2020
Amazing book. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, but I loved Down a Darker Path even more, perhaps because I've gotten to know the characters and world in more detail. Maybrooke's descriptions bring this world to life, and I could feel the chemistry between Dulcea and Lord Krath's acutely. This book brings into focus one of the hardest choices someone can face: to follow one's heart or sacrifice something dear for a greater good. Personally, I'd always follow my heart and let the rest of the world crash and burn, but I'd still feel anguish at the world's destruction. I'm really eager for the next book :)
Profile Image for Eve Koguce.
Author 6 books397 followers
April 3, 2024
I’m already about one-third into the third book of the series, so I’ll keep this review short and to the point. All three books have already begun to mix in my head in one completely engrossing narrative, so I’ll do my best not to give out any spoilers.

“Down A Darker Path”, book two of the Dulcea's Rebellion series by Laura Maybrooke, picks up right where book one ends. Dulcea is still torn between the war, which it seems less and less possible to win, and her feelings for Krath, who remains an enigma to her and a hateful enemy to those whose opinion is important to her. The slow-burn romance is a joy to read for those who, like me, appreciate a deep, thought-provoking love story that interweaves seamlessly with other events in the book.

Dulcea fights for the freedom not only of her own people, but of the whole continent that has suffered centuries of oppression. And for that, she is loved by many who believe in change, evokes interest in those who have the power to influence history, and is hated by ignorant and purely evil.

Dulcea is in love with a man, but she has to deal with his controversial past and dark nature. Krath agrees to open his secrets to her by letting her read his story he has documented himself. But can he open his long-dead, not-beating heart to her too?

Her allies all have a vision of her they’ve drawn in their minds and don’t hesitate to demand from her that she meets their expectations. I felt sorry for the disappointed elven priest Myoden. He isn’t a bad man. And Dulcea understands that he is a product of his upbringing. Her mightiest ally and a symbol of hope for many in her army, dragon leader Amparo crosses the line in their relationship. Can their friendship survive that?

“Down A Darker Path” took me on a wild ride, and upon finishing it, I didn’t want to be left hanging with my head dangling down in the air, on the topmost place of the rollercoaster. So, as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I’m already deep in the continuation of Dulcea’s story. And I know for sure that I’ll read everything the author writes next about the incredible fantasy world she has masterfully created.
Profile Image for Kelly Miller.
Author 14 books435 followers
April 7, 2020
This was a great read! Yes, the path gets darker, but Lord Krath and Dulcea grow closer, and Dulcea must contend with high-handed advice/demands from her closest allies. This was a page-turner that held my interest throughout. Bravo to Ms. Maybrooke! I hope Book 3 comes out on schedule!
Profile Image for Bianca Bowers.
Author 11 books19 followers
March 30, 2020
Laura Maybrooke’s, Down a Darker Path (book 2), is a fantasy novel with a slow-burning romance at its core.

Amparo Darksun, the leader of the golden dragon clan gives Dulcea an ultimatum: the dragon clan or Krath. She chooses Darksun, but he is unimpressed that she puts him in such a position in the first place and deserts her. From this moment on, Dulcea’s internal debate over her feelings for Krath versus her loyalty to her people becomes a primary conflict that plays out on the literal and metaphorical battlefields—“To get into a relationship with you, is to abandon everything my parents taught me—everything the world expects of me.”

The Characterisation is well done, and especially revealing through dialogue as well as actions and reactions of other characters in key scenes. Myoden’s character is laid bare to Dulcea in the scenes where the two of them discuss Nemnyan; Myoden compares the concept of marrying a wild elf as “[breeding] with cattle.”

Similarly, when Amparo Darksun speaks about Krath, he tells Dulcea that Krath’s “stench [is] all over you...Death. Danger. Seduction. He has touched you!” A judgement that leaves no room for compromise.

The pace is steady, with a build-up of action and suspense in the final chapters. The lingering romance between Krath and Dulcea continues its “slow-burning” progress, with anticipation building steadily.

Contrasts in setting and seasons add to the overall mood and action. In chapter 4, before everything “unravels”, all greenery has wilted, the forests have been felled for firewood and there is no shade or rest bite from the “sizzling heat” that sears and cracks “the moist earth”...”the river shallows [bustle] with...bloodsucking insects.” Similarly, in the final chapters with Krath in the ruins of his old family home, the dark and ominous setting compliments the suspense and pending action.

Overall, Laura Maybrooke’s second book in her Dulcea’s Rebellion trilogy fantasy series, Down a Darker Path, is an entertaining read with a strong female protagonist, good characterisation and a slow-burning romance that steadily builds anticipation.
Profile Image for Sarah D..
4 reviews
April 2, 2020
The second book in this series does not disappoint; in fact, it's better than the first. Very fast paced, exciting, and deepening the world introduced in Immortal Defiance. Dulcea and Krath's romance takes some huge steps forward (that kiss!) but the focus remains on the fantasy.
A very worthy sequel and looks like some huge things are coming!
Profile Image for Taliesin.
104 reviews55 followers
June 4, 2020
Down a Darker Path is the second book in the Dulcea’s Rebellion series, by Laura Maybrooke. If you have not read the first in the series, I highly recommend it!

This book, as with the first, follows the silver elf enchantress and dragonmaster, Dulcea Lightbringer. We pick up right where the first book left off, and Down a Darker Path hits the ground running. We’re hooked immediately with the first scene and swept up in the events along with Dulcea, who is facing the hard consequences of her actions.

The rebellion is ramping up as winter creeps ever closer. The threat of advancing armies mingles with the bitterness of the looming cold. Dulcea has a lot on her plate as more challenges cross her path, hindering her progress.

Timelines were non-linear in book one, showing us Dulcea’s life through flashbacks, dreams, and memories. Book two uses flashbacks sparingly, creating a more natural feeling without being disruptive to the flow of the story. Having a preference for spending more time in a stable timeline, I enjoyed book two more in that regard.

Dulcea’s Rebellion series, thus far, is proving to have great strength in the characterization, world building, and natural flow of the dialogue. As I mentioned in my review of book one, the relationships between characters felt real, as if they are all individuals with their own wants and desires. It is both refreshing and beautifully done.

Characters I adored in the first book are turning out to not be who we were lead to believe, as Dulcea makes her own startling realizations. Dulcea is left to face the consequences of her actions, which created rifts in friendships and unearthed hidden truths. Beliefs clash, tempers flare, and Krath’s nature reveals itself to be much darker than could be imagined. The differences in how I feel about various characters between the two books is drastic. In no way does it feel false, or forced, however. Again, as with the progression of the relationships and friendships in the story, this too feels natural.

And if that’s not masterful storytelling then I don’t know what is.

Down A Darker Path is, as the title suggests, a darker story than Immortal Defiance. The stakes are higher, the dangers greater, and there is uncertainty all around Dulcea and her party. There were times I was anxious for Dulcea, angry at her friends, and got caught up in the action right until the cliffhanger.

And that cliffhanger? It’s a good one.

I recommend this novel for the same reasons as the first: it’s a compelling fantasy with a healthy amount of worldbuilding, strong and realistic characters, and impressive prose. There is a slow-burn romance at the heart that progresses in a natural way that’s a refreshing change from the love-at-first-sight stories. The thing is, though… read the first one, first. Don’t start here. 😉

I loved book one. Book two is engaging, exciting, and bumps Dulcea’s Rebellion series into one of my favourites. I can’t wait to find out what book three brings to the table.

This review is provided voluntarily in exchange for a digital copy of the novel. Thanks!
Profile Image for BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books).
1,436 reviews119 followers
May 10, 2020
What I Loved:
Down A Darker Path was a fabulous follow-up to the first book in the series Dulcea’s Rebellion! I loved the strength shown by Dulcea, the main character, and I found the romance so enticing!!

How I Felt:
How beautiful is this cover!?!? I just had to give it a shout out because it is absolutely stunning!

The story picks up from the end of book 1, so make sure you’ve read the first book before starting this one! Dulcea is given a choice. She must choose between the dragon clan or Krath…and she makes her choice and then he leaves her behind! Men! Dulcea’s days are filled with battles with weapons as well as battles over her feelings. She struggles with her honor to keep loyal to her own kind and her budding love for Krath.

The pace of this story is perfect for those that like to jump right into the action. I found the entire story fast-paced and filled with exciting situations! I loved the descriptions of the world. Laura Maybrooke does an excellent job of building her world and creates beautiful images of her story.

The characters are just as lovely in book 2 as in the first book. Dulcea is this wonderfully complicated character. She struggles with her feelings of love and her feelings of loyalty, and yet she is such a strong woman. I love seeing her grow as the series progresses!

Overall, I loved this story and I look forward to book 3!! The writing is wonderful with excellent world-building and a story that kept me entranced!

To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Down A Darker Path for readers that enjoy a dark fantasy and a slow-burn romance!

I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

My full review will post to my blog on 5/15/20. All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
Profile Image for Hayley Chow.
Author 12 books136 followers
May 5, 2020
I enjoyed Immortal Defiance, but Down a Darker Path was even better. In the first book, I kind of got distracted by all the different flashbacks, but I thought the narrative in the second book flowed really smoothly.

I am still a HUGE fan of Krath. He is just an amazing character and he really stepped it up even more in this book. I loved seeing Krath and Dulcea's relationship heating up, and seeing their really distinct characters deepen and grow together. Once again, the world-building is really just phenomenal. Like, to the point that I'm half-convinced Caeryn is an actual place somewhere. The stakes are definitely rising in this book, and I also really liked diving into the complexities of some of the supporting characters (Loved Nemnyan and could possibly strangle Myoden) and dragons.

So if you enjoyed the first book, I Highly recommend you read the second. If you haven't read the first book and you're a fan of LOTR, Vampire Romances, & Risk, you should definitely give it a read. I will definitely be reading the third book when it comes out!

Oh and side note, if you haven't checked out the author's instagram page, https://www.instagram.com/laura_maybr..., you're missing out. She does some amazing character art that REALLY brings the character art to life.

Thanks so much to Laura Maybrooke for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for D.
1,069 reviews
April 11, 2020
Darker Path

Why, why, why is the story over? I need the 3rd book right away. Dulcea and Krath frustrate me, I want so much for them, because I love them as a couple. But I'm trying to figure out how their relationship will work out. I'm also trying to figure out how the war will evolve, will Myoden be able to control his jealousy, will the Golden clan ever accept Krath? So many questions. I guess it's pretty obvious by now, but I'll go ahead and say it anyway: I absolutely love this story, the characters, the tension between Dulcea and Krath, the intrigue the war brings, the dragons.

Yes, this is the type of story I needed to help me escape for a few hours. I was sad to reach the last page. Oftentimes, the first book of a series is so amazing that you hope the second will outshine it. Well, Down a Darker Path was what I expected and more. I think Laura Maybrooke is a new author, and I want to encourage her to keep writing. Please, give Nemnyan his own story. I'm intrigued to know more about the human he loves. And Myoden needs his own story too, but I think he needs to go through a few things first, so he will know that everything isn't always black and white.

Ps: my favorite line is "Fear is conquerable".
Profile Image for Marion.
23 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2021
A great sequel to Immortal Defiance! I’m a huge fan of dark, mysterious, and slightly arrogant characters so let’s just say that Krath is a favorite of mine :) I also really liked the difficult questions that this novel raises. Is the greater good more important than your own happiness? Can you change the culture you were born into? Who has the right to decide how you live your life? Reading this book made me think even more about those questions and how I would answer them. I loved that and I can’t wait to see how Dulcea will answer those questions in the end. All in all, another great read from Maybrooke!
Profile Image for Kat.
Author 14 books610 followers
January 4, 2024
DOWN A DARKER PATH forces Dulcea to choose between the vampire lord Krath, who she is fighting her feelings for, and her alliances with her armies and the golden dragons, both of whom she must have in order to win the war. The tension throughout the book was very well drawn, with all sides putting pressure on Dulcea, and the relationship between her and Krath (which I love, totally Team Vampire here) doing a hot slow burn with every chapter. I loved seeing Krath and Saranis playing Dominion, Myoden was a perfectly detestable character and very well written to that effect. Dulcea may be coming to accept what her heart wants, but is she prepared to sacrifice what that choice means? Wonderful world building. 5/5 stars.
Profile Image for Middlebury Books.
Author 6 books13 followers
April 15, 2020
I enjoyed the first book, Immortal Defiance, and I loved, loved this installment of Dulcea's Rebellion. Dulcea remains a strong and likeable character. I like that the relationship between Dulcea and Krath is born of mutual respect and admiration. Down a Darker Path is filled with romance and adventure, making it hard to put down.
Profile Image for Leila S..
4 reviews
April 18, 2020
An excellent second book. The story proceeds with exciting speed and turn of events. Some surprising character revelations that make a lot of sense. Dulcea and Krath's relationship also heats up and the adventure continues towards its epic conclusion. Love the new antagonist! Excited for the last book!
Profile Image for Author Raven Storm.
Author 4 books18 followers
October 4, 2020
It keeps getting better!

I was into this one way more than book 1. I flew through book 2, and hope the next one will be released soon! I am obsessed with Krath and Dulcea’s relationship. I’m also intrigued by her general; I can’t seem to figure out his deal, or what the deal with the leader of the golden dragons is. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
23 reviews
April 16, 2020
Book 1 & 2 complete

Both books were well done. Tho I teetered in some areas if the "slow burn" I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Story line, very unique & well crafted. The characters well fleshed, really enjoyed the spooky world as well. Worth reading & waiting for #3.
Profile Image for Marissa.
6 reviews
April 18, 2020
A worthy and engaging sequel. A great mix of romance and adventure. I look forward to seeing how this tale ends.
Profile Image for Lisa.
6 reviews
May 29, 2020
Even better than the first book. The story was fast paced, the characters and the world deepened, and the romance was enticing. Excited for the last book!
Profile Image for Maggie Williams.
12 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2021
I did not expect that! I'm not sure what to feel about Krath. I love him but also need him to... do better for Dulcea. Obvious in retrospect and thrilling. So excited for the conclusion.
Profile Image for Anonymous.
125 reviews20 followers
April 28, 2020
Received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this sequel so much! The story continues in book #2, where we follow Dulcea through the chessboard that is her political life. This book is a definite must if you've read book 1, and if you're on the fence, then go read book 1! Perfect for fans of fantasy, fantasy war stories, and strong women leads.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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