What do you think?
Rate this book
Darkmourn Universe #2
King of Immortal Tithe
From the bestselling author Ben Alderson comes a fantastical and spicy reimagining of the Hades and Persephone tale. King of Immortal Tithe is a standalone in the Darkmourn Universe.
Human. Arlo Grey will do anything to fend off the sickness that longs to destroy him. To uphold the promise he made to his parents, ensuring the protection of his sister from the world and its dangers. Especially if the dangers come in the form of elves from a realm beyond that of the human world.
Elf. Faenir Evelina is scorned for the murder of his family. Forced by the bitter Queen to partake in the Choosing, he discovers a single person who can resist the deadly grace of his touch.
It has been many years since the vampiric disease spread wildly across Darkmourn, making humans a rarity. And protection from the undead comes at a cost, one that Arlo is forced to pay when he is stolen by the Prince of Death.
Arlo finds himself tangled in a web of secrecy, family politics and unbridled magic when he comes face to face with the impending doom… his truth.
King of Immortal Tithe is a complete, M/M *stand-alone novel*, inspired by Hades x Persephone… but if Hades fell in love with Persephone’s brother instead.
Human. Arlo Grey will do anything to fend off the sickness that longs to destroy him. To uphold the promise he made to his parents, ensuring the protection of his sister from the world and its dangers. Especially if the dangers come in the form of elves from a realm beyond that of the human world.
Elf. Faenir Evelina is scorned for the murder of his family. Forced by the bitter Queen to partake in the Choosing, he discovers a single person who can resist the deadly grace of his touch.
It has been many years since the vampiric disease spread wildly across Darkmourn, making humans a rarity. And protection from the undead comes at a cost, one that Arlo is forced to pay when he is stolen by the Prince of Death.
Arlo finds himself tangled in a web of secrecy, family politics and unbridled magic when he comes face to face with the impending doom… his truth.
King of Immortal Tithe is a complete, M/M *stand-alone novel*, inspired by Hades x Persephone… but if Hades fell in love with Persephone’s brother instead.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2022
736 people are currently reading
9322 people want to read
About the author
Ben Alderson
31 books14.4k followersBen Alderson is a #1 Amazon bestselling author. His stories are set in fantasy worlds filled with magic, adventure and MM romance. Ben lives in Oxfordshire and, when not writing, can be found reading, taking Winston - his Labrador - out for long walks, or obsessing over Marvel’s The Scarlet Witch.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 591 reviews
September 6, 2022
2.0 out of 5 stars.
My feelings about this book are complicated. On the one hand, I like Ben Alderson as a person. I follow him on Tiktok and I was genuinely excited for him to be publishing. On the other hand, I really didn't like this book. I want to but I just can't.
This book is so rushed. For the amount of content that this book has there is not nearly enough book to fit it all. I haven't read the first book in this universe, so my lack of knowledge about the world may be because of that. However, even taking out the lack of worldbuilding or descriptions, it's still much to rushed. There is a difference between a fast paced novel and a rushed novel and this one definitely falls into the later category.
Along the lines of this novel being rushed, there were details left out. I was reading the scene This jarred me so badly that I had to go back and make sure that I didn't miss a portion of the book. It may be a small detail in the scheme of things, but when writing, details like that matter. You wouldn't want to walk out without
Speaking of sex and the whole hype surrounding this book for the spice that it contains, the sex scenes (and there are a lot of them) are done horribly.
One of the other main offputs I had with this book was how the whole ending was done. There were so many things that I didn't like about it that before the ending arc started, I was going to give this book three stars. It was that bad.
All of this leads to the very end. Out of everything that I didn't like about this book, this one takes the cake. It's so confusing. . It's so wildly out of place and, again, rushed, that it almost ruins the entire book.
I may have read this book in a day, but that was more out of if I don't finish it now, I never will. (and I hate DNF'ing). This book had an unique touch to a popular trope but it unfortunately didn't live up to the hype. It reminds me of a gay version of the trashy romance novels you pick up at the dollar store. I won't be picking up another book by this author again.
My feelings about this book are complicated. On the one hand, I like Ben Alderson as a person. I follow him on Tiktok and I was genuinely excited for him to be publishing. On the other hand, I really didn't like this book. I want to but I just can't.
This book is so rushed. For the amount of content that this book has there is not nearly enough book to fit it all. I haven't read the first book in this universe, so my lack of knowledge about the world may be because of that. However, even taking out the lack of worldbuilding or descriptions, it's still much to rushed. There is a difference between a fast paced novel and a rushed novel and this one definitely falls into the later category.
Along the lines of this novel being rushed, there were details left out. I was reading the scene This jarred me so badly that I had to go back and make sure that I didn't miss a portion of the book. It may be a small detail in the scheme of things, but when writing, details like that matter. You wouldn't want to walk out without
Speaking of sex and the whole hype surrounding this book for the spice that it contains, the sex scenes (and there are a lot of them) are done horribly.
One of the other main offputs I had with this book was how the whole ending was done. There were so many things that I didn't like about it that before the ending arc started, I was going to give this book three stars. It was that bad.
All of this leads to the very end. Out of everything that I didn't like about this book, this one takes the cake. It's so confusing. . It's so wildly out of place and, again, rushed, that it almost ruins the entire book.
I may have read this book in a day, but that was more out of if I don't finish it now, I never will. (and I hate DNF'ing). This book had an unique touch to a popular trope but it unfortunately didn't live up to the hype. It reminds me of a gay version of the trashy romance novels you pick up at the dollar store. I won't be picking up another book by this author again.
August 24, 2022
I was lucky enough to have been sent an arc of Ben Andersons upcoming fantasy book, and the next installment of the Darkmourn series: King of Immortal Tithe.
First off, Ben KNOWS how to enthrall an audience within the first few pages. This story is no different. We are immediately introduced to our story’s protagonist, Arlo, and his WUICK wit and cleverness. Arlo is driven by two purposes:
To stay alive and survive his peculiar sickness and keep his sister safe.
When the elves come to collect their tithes, choosing a mortal spouse to keep peace between the realms, Arlo is less than excited. His mission is to keep his already broken family together, remember!
Faenir, the most revered of the elves, is known for one thing: one touch against anyones skin, and they will be unalived.
So, when he selects altos sister to marry, you can imagine our feisty, determined, take no bullsh*t MC has a few qualms!
In defiance, before the lord of death can prick his sister, he reaches out and grabs Faenirs arm… what’s this??
HE DOESNT DIE!!!!
What can this mean!!!!????
I’ll tell you what it means, NO SPOILERS!
It means one freaking epic adventure!
The plot is quick, enticing, mysterious and fun.
The level of pining had my cheeks hurting from smiling.
Faenir is HOT. Whew. I’m sweating.
The strange yearning and eventual understanding of Arlo and Faenir is one of my favorite book ships and to watch it all unfold so beautifully was quite an experience.
Every character is so different, so mesmerizing in their own respect.
There’s political intrigue, family DRAMA, love and passion… and finally, pomegranates ;)
Ben absolutely nailed (no pun intended… hehe) this Persephone and hades type retelling.
I loved every moment.
I highly recommend checking out LORD OF ETERNAL FLAME, but it isn’t necessary if you want to dive right into this one!
The ending, well…. Hang on!!
Five huge starts to this one and cheers to my good friend on another excellent book! Seriously, how do you write so fast AND so well??
First off, Ben KNOWS how to enthrall an audience within the first few pages. This story is no different. We are immediately introduced to our story’s protagonist, Arlo, and his WUICK wit and cleverness. Arlo is driven by two purposes:
To stay alive and survive his peculiar sickness and keep his sister safe.
When the elves come to collect their tithes, choosing a mortal spouse to keep peace between the realms, Arlo is less than excited. His mission is to keep his already broken family together, remember!
Faenir, the most revered of the elves, is known for one thing: one touch against anyones skin, and they will be unalived.
So, when he selects altos sister to marry, you can imagine our feisty, determined, take no bullsh*t MC has a few qualms!
In defiance, before the lord of death can prick his sister, he reaches out and grabs Faenirs arm… what’s this??
HE DOESNT DIE!!!!
What can this mean!!!!????
I’ll tell you what it means, NO SPOILERS!
It means one freaking epic adventure!
The plot is quick, enticing, mysterious and fun.
The level of pining had my cheeks hurting from smiling.
Faenir is HOT. Whew. I’m sweating.
The strange yearning and eventual understanding of Arlo and Faenir is one of my favorite book ships and to watch it all unfold so beautifully was quite an experience.
Every character is so different, so mesmerizing in their own respect.
There’s political intrigue, family DRAMA, love and passion… and finally, pomegranates ;)
Ben absolutely nailed (no pun intended… hehe) this Persephone and hades type retelling.
I loved every moment.
I highly recommend checking out LORD OF ETERNAL FLAME, but it isn’t necessary if you want to dive right into this one!
The ending, well…. Hang on!!
Five huge starts to this one and cheers to my good friend on another excellent book! Seriously, how do you write so fast AND so well??
July 9, 2023
2.5
Muchísimo mejor que el primero pero creo que no lo suficiente para seguir con esta saga.
Muchísimo mejor que el primero pero creo que no lo suficiente para seguir con esta saga.
May 31, 2025
i don’t have anything nice to say about this book, so here’s my list of complaints instead:
---
1. the book begins with a warning that it is self-published and therefore self-edited, and thus may have some typos. i’m all for self-publishing, but if you can’t manage to smooth out your manuscript enough that a *typo warning* is necessary, you should’ve tried a little harder to find a proof reader. (also, the warning was totally needed. there were errors from the very first chapter that did not improve throughout the book and it mostly just reeked of unprofessionalism.)
2. the characters have no depth. they’re hardly people at all, just tools to move the barely-there plot forward. i’ve been sitting here trying to think of even a single trait to assign to any of them and i really can’t.
3. there’s not really a plot. did i already say that? i’ll say it again: plotless. predictable. painful.
4. the main romance between Faenir and Arlo is supposed to be enemies-to-lovers (and i am *so* sick of reliance on tropes), but it’s completely one-sided. and even then, Arlo stops hating Faenir out of nowhere and does a total 180 and suddenly is head over heels, complete insta-love, etc… wanting him dead to being willing to lay down your life for him is a transition that should take more than 25 pages.
5. the smut is terrible. sorry not sorry! i’m not really a smut reader to begin with so i was always going to be critical, but this was a joke. spoiler-ish, but they left a wedding mid-ceremony to fuck in the hallway, and then they just rejoined the reception afterwards like nothing happened. oh, and it was at the wedding of a family member, too! and while i’m being super negative, i don’t think they used lube once. i’m a woman so you’ll have to forgive me for overstepping, but i’m pretty sure that’s the most painful and least sexy thing you can do…but maybe i just don’t have the “creative vision” necessary to appreciate this masterpiece.
6. one of them said “arse” in a sex scene. i know the author’s probably just british but it did make me puke in my mouth. some of us are normal anglophones (north american). put a trigger warning for the queens english next time, thanks.
7. there are vampires in this world that get introduced conceptually in the beginning of the story, just to be forgotten until the epilogue. they’re totally irrelevant lol
8. i’m pretty sure the author isn’t aware there's a difference between elves and fae.
9. Faenir’s whole edgy thing is that if he touches somebody, they die. when he was born, he kept killing people who tried to pick him up as a baby, until they wised up and wrapped him in a blanket. if it’s canon that his touch won’t be fatal if he’s covered with fabric, why not just wear gloves? is this a joke? did the author not once consider this? this story doesn't have plot holes, it has plot craters.
10. i personally do not like first-person POV in fantasy.
11. the cover is pretty, but the blurb is actually just a snippet from a sex scene, which is very bold and lowkey trashy. maybe it’d make more sense if the book was erotica, but AFAIK it’s trying to be a respectable fantasy novel, so maybe the author should tone it down on the nauseating BS he assumes counts as sex appeal.
11 + 1. a bonus complaint, irrelevant to the story itself: my copy, which i bought off amazon, STUNK. i sprayed it with febreeze, i wore a mask while reading, i chewed extra-strength mint gum, i let the thing air out in the sun for crying out loud. nothing worked. even if i did like this book, i would’ve had to return it anyways, because i could not bear the utter stench it contaminated my bedroom with. it’s technically out of the author’s control but i’m blaming him anyway because WTF.
---
1. the book begins with a warning that it is self-published and therefore self-edited, and thus may have some typos. i’m all for self-publishing, but if you can’t manage to smooth out your manuscript enough that a *typo warning* is necessary, you should’ve tried a little harder to find a proof reader. (also, the warning was totally needed. there were errors from the very first chapter that did not improve throughout the book and it mostly just reeked of unprofessionalism.)
2. the characters have no depth. they’re hardly people at all, just tools to move the barely-there plot forward. i’ve been sitting here trying to think of even a single trait to assign to any of them and i really can’t.
3. there’s not really a plot. did i already say that? i’ll say it again: plotless. predictable. painful.
4. the main romance between Faenir and Arlo is supposed to be enemies-to-lovers (and i am *so* sick of reliance on tropes), but it’s completely one-sided. and even then, Arlo stops hating Faenir out of nowhere and does a total 180 and suddenly is head over heels, complete insta-love, etc… wanting him dead to being willing to lay down your life for him is a transition that should take more than 25 pages.
5. the smut is terrible. sorry not sorry! i’m not really a smut reader to begin with so i was always going to be critical, but this was a joke. spoiler-ish, but they left a wedding mid-ceremony to fuck in the hallway, and then they just rejoined the reception afterwards like nothing happened. oh, and it was at the wedding of a family member, too! and while i’m being super negative, i don’t think they used lube once. i’m a woman so you’ll have to forgive me for overstepping, but i’m pretty sure that’s the most painful and least sexy thing you can do…but maybe i just don’t have the “creative vision” necessary to appreciate this masterpiece.
6. one of them said “arse” in a sex scene. i know the author’s probably just british but it did make me puke in my mouth. some of us are normal anglophones (north american). put a trigger warning for the queens english next time, thanks.
7. there are vampires in this world that get introduced conceptually in the beginning of the story, just to be forgotten until the epilogue. they’re totally irrelevant lol
8. i’m pretty sure the author isn’t aware there's a difference between elves and fae.
9. Faenir’s whole edgy thing is that if he touches somebody, they die. when he was born, he kept killing people who tried to pick him up as a baby, until they wised up and wrapped him in a blanket. if it’s canon that his touch won’t be fatal if he’s covered with fabric, why not just wear gloves? is this a joke? did the author not once consider this? this story doesn't have plot holes, it has plot craters.
10. i personally do not like first-person POV in fantasy.
11. the cover is pretty, but the blurb is actually just a snippet from a sex scene, which is very bold and lowkey trashy. maybe it’d make more sense if the book was erotica, but AFAIK it’s trying to be a respectable fantasy novel, so maybe the author should tone it down on the nauseating BS he assumes counts as sex appeal.
11 + 1. a bonus complaint, irrelevant to the story itself: my copy, which i bought off amazon, STUNK. i sprayed it with febreeze, i wore a mask while reading, i chewed extra-strength mint gum, i let the thing air out in the sun for crying out loud. nothing worked. even if i did like this book, i would’ve had to return it anyways, because i could not bear the utter stench it contaminated my bedroom with. it’s technically out of the author’s control but i’m blaming him anyway because WTF.
April 9, 2023
*2.5
Rep: gay MC with chronic illness, achillean love interest
TWs: Graphic: Injury/injury detail, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Child death, Sexual content, Gore
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Cursing, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Fire, Toxic relationship, Slavery, War
Ugh 😬😬
So, let's start with the actual constructive criticism. Some things in this book just didn't make sense. In the very first two paragraphs in this book Arlo is smiling as he kills a vampire. But a few pages laters he feels guilty about killing this same vampire because it's a young one?? Also, Faenir would basically jump away from the servants at his mansion from fear he would touch them accidentally. Yet, earlier in the book he mercilessly kills Tom's whole family. And for what? To test three whole times if the whole city is immune to his power? To catch Arlo's attention? What?
And the pace was... odd. I can't wrap my finger around it but there was something that was bugging me.
Now, just me being nasty and pointing stuff I hated:
Arlo was unnecessary angsty. Like, I get that he's dying and this would fuck up with anyone. For the most part it was understandable. But after losing the vampire blood he was just "I'm so tragic, I just have to suffer". It was all thinking about death and how "my lies are eating me inside''. THEN STOP LYING YOU STUPID FUCK!! Tell your man about it!!! Geeze, he was insufferable! He was denying the comfort and even the possible solution to the problem for some dumbass reasons (especially considering he DID told another person)
When I reached 60% I started to debate what rate I should give this book. Because I realized I actually haven't enjoyed myself that much. What I have had read was not necessarily bad but it was just. Meh. It was a meh kind of okay, if this make sense. It didn't live up to my expectations. Like, god, I was so freaking excited about this book. One for the author, two for the cool idea, three for being same-gender Hades and Persephone retelling and four for this amazing, beautiful, AWESOME cover.
Some time towards the end things started to get pretty interesting. I started to lean towards 4 starts instead of 3. There were some plot twists that made me gasp for real. And it kept being interesting for 85-94% of the book, a little less maybe. Because of course, freaking of course, Arlo . OF COURSE.
I wasn't surprised by that ending. Not really. I had hopes it would turn out differently somehow but it was a theory from the very beginning, considering he . I still didn't like it.
And let's come clean - the writing just... wasn't it. The book was trying so desperately to make me care for them and their pain and their drama. I just didn't. I shed a few tears for the little girl May but that's it. But I just didn't give a shit about Arlo's "death is hovering over me" crisis. I didn't care when Faerin embraced his dark side and was like . Like. No one, NO ONE, is more disappointed about my indifference towards this particular thing than me. I usually adore this concept. I eat it up. But here it was just... flat. It was badly written. It felt underdeveloped.
All this trying to do proper world building while every emotional climax being underwhelming, doesn't work well.
To be honest, I think this is a level below Lord of Eternal Night. I believe I would have enjoyed King more if I hadn't read Lord because I would have been a little more surprised. There's WAY too many similarities in both, in a bad, repetitive way. And the MCs of both books have annoyingly similar voices. Similar to the point I dare say Arlo and Jak are the same character but in different settings. Which just led me to thinking, do they end up the same way? (Spoiler: )
You know what? Actually every book by this author I have read has basically the same MC but in a different setting. And I have read, like, three and dnf-ed one. Which is not looking good.
I admit, I hate the ending of Lord. It was the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 at the time (at least this is what my review says). The ending of King wasn't that bad but only because I already knew what would happen (well, not the last chapter 35 obviously). But I already have seen the pattern and couldn't help but notice it in King too.
Like, when I read the very last sentence of King and completely finished the book, I did brust out laughing. Because,*what* did I just read?? Like, I'm sorry but. I just couldn't lmao. There was nothing funny about it, it was just my brain's way of comprehending what I happened. I was very disturbed by how they decided to "solve" the problem with the vampires drinking blood... This was fucked up and twisted in a way it shouldn't have been and left me disgusted with the characters.
Just, everything involving too much fantasy plot was bad in this book. It should have been a little less pointless descriptions and trying too hard to be a legit fantasy and more of improving the building of the emotional climaxes and the quality of the sex scenes (I'm usually not looking into that much but since I'm at it, why not mention this too).
I would give this cover one million and five stars if I could, but since I'm rating a book and not its cover, I'm giving it 3 stars, as the real one is a half less.
*sigh* And when I think this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year... I was so excited, damn it
If the third book that will be a Red hood reimagining ALSO i'm fucking ditching this series
Rep: gay MC with chronic illness, achillean love interest
TWs: Graphic: Injury/injury detail, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Child death, Sexual content, Gore
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Cursing, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Fire, Toxic relationship, Slavery, War
Ugh 😬😬
So, let's start with the actual constructive criticism. Some things in this book just didn't make sense. In the very first two paragraphs in this book Arlo is smiling as he kills a vampire. But a few pages laters he feels guilty about killing this same vampire because it's a young one?? Also, Faenir would basically jump away from the servants at his mansion from fear he would touch them accidentally. Yet, earlier in the book he mercilessly kills Tom's whole family. And for what? To test three whole times if the whole city is immune to his power? To catch Arlo's attention? What?
And the pace was... odd. I can't wrap my finger around it but there was something that was bugging me.
Now, just me being nasty and pointing stuff I hated:
Arlo was unnecessary angsty. Like, I get that he's dying and this would fuck up with anyone. For the most part it was understandable. But after losing the vampire blood he was just "I'm so tragic, I just have to suffer". It was all thinking about death and how "my lies are eating me inside''. THEN STOP LYING YOU STUPID FUCK!! Tell your man about it!!! Geeze, he was insufferable! He was denying the comfort and even the possible solution to the problem for some dumbass reasons (especially considering he DID told another person)
When I reached 60% I started to debate what rate I should give this book. Because I realized I actually haven't enjoyed myself that much. What I have had read was not necessarily bad but it was just. Meh. It was a meh kind of okay, if this make sense. It didn't live up to my expectations. Like, god, I was so freaking excited about this book. One for the author, two for the cool idea, three for being same-gender Hades and Persephone retelling and four for this amazing, beautiful, AWESOME cover.
Some time towards the end things started to get pretty interesting. I started to lean towards 4 starts instead of 3. There were some plot twists that made me gasp for real. And it kept being interesting for 85-94% of the book, a little less maybe. Because of course, freaking of course, Arlo . OF COURSE.
I wasn't surprised by that ending. Not really. I had hopes it would turn out differently somehow but it was a theory from the very beginning, considering he . I still didn't like it.
And let's come clean - the writing just... wasn't it. The book was trying so desperately to make me care for them and their pain and their drama. I just didn't. I shed a few tears for the little girl May but that's it. But I just didn't give a shit about Arlo's "death is hovering over me" crisis. I didn't care when Faerin embraced his dark side and was like . Like. No one, NO ONE, is more disappointed about my indifference towards this particular thing than me. I usually adore this concept. I eat it up. But here it was just... flat. It was badly written. It felt underdeveloped.
All this trying to do proper world building while every emotional climax being underwhelming, doesn't work well.
To be honest, I think this is a level below Lord of Eternal Night. I believe I would have enjoyed King more if I hadn't read Lord because I would have been a little more surprised. There's WAY too many similarities in both, in a bad, repetitive way. And the MCs of both books have annoyingly similar voices. Similar to the point I dare say Arlo and Jak are the same character but in different settings. Which just led me to thinking, do they end up the same way? (Spoiler: )
You know what? Actually every book by this author I have read has basically the same MC but in a different setting. And I have read, like, three and dnf-ed one. Which is not looking good.
I admit, I hate the ending of Lord. It was the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 at the time (at least this is what my review says). The ending of King wasn't that bad but only because I already knew what would happen (well, not the last chapter 35 obviously). But I already have seen the pattern and couldn't help but notice it in King too.
Like, when I read the very last sentence of King and completely finished the book, I did brust out laughing. Because,*what* did I just read?? Like, I'm sorry but. I just couldn't lmao. There was nothing funny about it, it was just my brain's way of comprehending what I happened. I was very disturbed by how they decided to "solve" the problem with the vampires drinking blood... This was fucked up and twisted in a way it shouldn't have been and left me disgusted with the characters.
Just, everything involving too much fantasy plot was bad in this book. It should have been a little less pointless descriptions and trying too hard to be a legit fantasy and more of improving the building of the emotional climaxes and the quality of the sex scenes (I'm usually not looking into that much but since I'm at it, why not mention this too).
I would give this cover one million and five stars if I could, but since I'm rating a book and not its cover, I'm giving it 3 stars, as the real one is a half less.
*sigh* And when I think this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year... I was so excited, damn it
If the third book that will be a Red hood reimagining ALSO i'm fucking ditching this series
October 15, 2024
This second book was a major letdown, especially the character development and the romance.
Arlo, in particular, didn't resonate with me, coming across as selfish and unlikable.
Faenir deserved better, especially since their dynamic felt one-sided and unconvincing.
The relationship between them felt very forced, and their feelings fake.
The lack of chemistry in their relationship added to my disappointment.
Plus, the side characters were annoying, which made it harder to stay invested in the story.
The characters' decisions and actions didn't make sense.
Again, like in the first book, the author left out important details and explanations, which made things confusing.
The plot had potential and was interesting enough to hold my attention, even if the characters and relationships didn’t quite deliver.
Sadly the lack of connection to the characters dampened the overall experience for me.
If the characters had been better developed, it would have been a more enjoyable book.
Arlo, in particular, didn't resonate with me, coming across as selfish and unlikable.
Faenir deserved better, especially since their dynamic felt one-sided and unconvincing.
The relationship between them felt very forced, and their feelings fake.
The lack of chemistry in their relationship added to my disappointment.
Plus, the side characters were annoying, which made it harder to stay invested in the story.
The characters' decisions and actions didn't make sense.
Again, like in the first book, the author left out important details and explanations, which made things confusing.
The plot had potential and was interesting enough to hold my attention, even if the characters and relationships didn’t quite deliver.
Sadly the lack of connection to the characters dampened the overall experience for me.
If the characters had been better developed, it would have been a more enjoyable book.
October 1, 2022
Well... meh.
I don't know if I've just become a critical bitch this past few months, or what it is, but "Lord of Eternal Night" was the first book I read this year, and I actually did enjoy it! So what the heck is this!?
Maybe I was clouded because I knew the author from tiktok and I felt like giving him an opportunity, but let's be real right now, this book sucks.
It literally could not be more mediocre.
The prose is lazy, the main characters shallow and tropey, the plot is... How could I even describe it? It was childish, as in, the plot you imagine a 13 year old would come up with. It lacked depth and it was so predictable it bored me.
What I liked about the previous book was that, even tho it was clear the writing needed improvement, the story was creative and intriguing. It took the "beauty and the beast" story we've read five trillion times and made it interesting. This time, he missed the mark.
The relationship did not work at all. Arlo hated Faenir as much as any captive would his captor, which I expect (and love) to see, but then he instantly forgives and starts to love him after hearing his tragic life story. Like... Make it make sense.
There's no build up to make me care for them, nor good character development. It was quite frustrating, specially because the smut was actually really good. Did it have its pretty obvious flaws? Yes, but it just worked, and I have to say, in comparison to the previous book, that the author improved his writing in this matter.
Anyways, yes, I was really disappointed, and I fear that this author is going to end up going to my it's tempting but don't you dare buy that book list of books that end up disappointing me. I'd love for him to prove me wrong on that one in the future.
I don't know if I've just become a critical bitch this past few months, or what it is, but "Lord of Eternal Night" was the first book I read this year, and I actually did enjoy it! So what the heck is this!?
Maybe I was clouded because I knew the author from tiktok and I felt like giving him an opportunity, but let's be real right now, this book sucks.
It literally could not be more mediocre.
The prose is lazy, the main characters shallow and tropey, the plot is... How could I even describe it? It was childish, as in, the plot you imagine a 13 year old would come up with. It lacked depth and it was so predictable it bored me.
What I liked about the previous book was that, even tho it was clear the writing needed improvement, the story was creative and intriguing. It took the "beauty and the beast" story we've read five trillion times and made it interesting. This time, he missed the mark.
The relationship did not work at all. Arlo hated Faenir as much as any captive would his captor, which I expect (and love) to see, but then he instantly forgives and starts to love him after hearing his tragic life story. Like... Make it make sense.
There's no build up to make me care for them, nor good character development. It was quite frustrating, specially because the smut was actually really good. Did it have its pretty obvious flaws? Yes, but it just worked, and I have to say, in comparison to the previous book, that the author improved his writing in this matter.
Anyways, yes, I was really disappointed, and I fear that this author is going to end up going to my it's tempting but don't you dare buy that book list of books that end up disappointing me. I'd love for him to prove me wrong on that one in the future.
November 2, 2022
The good
+ Arlo believing in Faenir, even when he remains stubborn
+ Arlo upholding his promise to his parents to protect his sister
+ Arlo hating his captor for logical reasons, instead of immediately falling in lust with him
+
The neutral
o Arlo threw up a fuss about not sharing his last name because Faenir wasn't worthy of it yet, but then nothing ever happened with it
o Some editing was really necessary
The bad
- Faenir was so incredibly touch starved, which is one of my favorite tropes. However, the execution was pretty poor. He loved the little touches like hand-holding and cheek caresses, which was amazing, but I feel like the sex and intimacy were no different than it would have been between any other two characters, which was a real pity
- What was the purpose of ? It wasn't necessary for plot progression, as he was going after Arlo anyway, and it just made him seem really unlikable
-
-
- The ending was really dissatisfying.
- I have not read the first book, so I don't know if I should have expected this. But
-
-
I was enjoying this book just fine until I got to the final part. I am so incredibly disappointed with this ending and I wish it was different. I'm afraid that for that reason, I wouldn't recommend this book.
+ Arlo believing in Faenir, even when he remains stubborn
+ Arlo upholding his promise to his parents to protect his sister
+ Arlo hating his captor for logical reasons, instead of immediately falling in lust with him
+
The neutral
o Arlo threw up a fuss about not sharing his last name because Faenir wasn't worthy of it yet, but then nothing ever happened with it
o Some editing was really necessary
The bad
- Faenir was so incredibly touch starved, which is one of my favorite tropes. However, the execution was pretty poor. He loved the little touches like hand-holding and cheek caresses, which was amazing, but I feel like the sex and intimacy were no different than it would have been between any other two characters, which was a real pity
- What was the purpose of ? It wasn't necessary for plot progression, as he was going after Arlo anyway, and it just made him seem really unlikable
-
-
- The ending was really dissatisfying.
- I have not read the first book, so I don't know if I should have expected this. But
-
-
I was enjoying this book just fine until I got to the final part. I am so incredibly disappointed with this ending and I wish it was different. I'm afraid that for that reason, I wouldn't recommend this book.
June 11, 2022
the spice dial has been turned ALLLLLLLL the way up
September 4, 2022
Tropes:
- enemies-to-lovers
- forced proximity
This queer Hades x Persephone retelling combines some of my favorites things: the Fae & vampires!
Poor touch starved and hated elf Prince Faenir gets the surprise of his life when the angry human male Arlo stops him from picking his sister during the annual Choosing, where the elven prince and princess come to choose a human to whisk away to Evelina.
For his entire life Faenir has never been able to touch anyone or anything without killing them, but Arlo doesn’t die. Unable to resist the human, Faenir kidnaps him to Evelina, but his family does not take this in stride. They’ll do anything to make sure Faenir never gets the crown, and Arlo’s life is on the line.
I’m a sucker for enemies-to-lovers, and absolutely loved Faenir & Arlo’s story! So much drama, action and betrayal! I loved it
- enemies-to-lovers
- forced proximity
This queer Hades x Persephone retelling combines some of my favorites things: the Fae & vampires!
Poor touch starved and hated elf Prince Faenir gets the surprise of his life when the angry human male Arlo stops him from picking his sister during the annual Choosing, where the elven prince and princess come to choose a human to whisk away to Evelina.
For his entire life Faenir has never been able to touch anyone or anything without killing them, but Arlo doesn’t die. Unable to resist the human, Faenir kidnaps him to Evelina, but his family does not take this in stride. They’ll do anything to make sure Faenir never gets the crown, and Arlo’s life is on the line.
I’m a sucker for enemies-to-lovers, and absolutely loved Faenir & Arlo’s story! So much drama, action and betrayal! I loved it
May 1, 2024
I’m truly sorry to say that this is in the running for the worst book of 2024 for me. From an interesting concept to a scattered mess of what is easily the most unlikeable couple in any romance book I’ve ever read.
So much goes wrong here that it’s difficult to know where to begin. I’ll just list them:
1. This so desperately needs an editor. So much passive voice and first draft sentence structure. God bless the audiobook narrator for doing his damnest to make some of this dialogue work.
2. The Matter of Tom. I’m really put off by the fact that the main character (Arlo) is given a fuck buddy at the start of the story who is, granted, nearly immediately killed off (by the love interest, no less!!!) and yet Arlo never thinks about him again (except for the one time where he compares Tom’s dick to the love interest’s - who, to remind you, killed him)
3. Miscommunication that makes no sense and only exists for cheap tension.
4. The most annoying case of instalove I’ve ever seen. Like the turn from enemies to lovers is literally less than a chapter.
5. At one point, the two leads bang it out DURING A FANILY MEMBER’S WEDDING so gauche.
6. Why can’t the hot elf just wear gloves if everyone he touches dies?
Idk man I guess I enjoyed my time with it? Until near the end when things just Kept Happening and I just Didn’t Care Enough about the side characters god forbid the politics or world. Meh.
So much goes wrong here that it’s difficult to know where to begin. I’ll just list them:
1. This so desperately needs an editor. So much passive voice and first draft sentence structure. God bless the audiobook narrator for doing his damnest to make some of this dialogue work.
2. The Matter of Tom. I’m really put off by the fact that the main character (Arlo) is given a fuck buddy at the start of the story who is, granted, nearly immediately killed off (by the love interest, no less!!!) and yet Arlo never thinks about him again (except for the one time where he compares Tom’s dick to the love interest’s - who, to remind you, killed him)
3. Miscommunication that makes no sense and only exists for cheap tension.
4. The most annoying case of instalove I’ve ever seen. Like the turn from enemies to lovers is literally less than a chapter.
5. At one point, the two leads bang it out DURING A FANILY MEMBER’S WEDDING so gauche.
6. Why can’t the hot elf just wear gloves if everyone he touches dies?
Idk man I guess I enjoyed my time with it? Until near the end when things just Kept Happening and I just Didn’t Care Enough about the side characters god forbid the politics or world. Meh.
April 20, 2022
Another brilliant retelling in the Dark mourn universe! King of immortal tithe is a suspenseful, dark and spicy retelling of Hades and Persephone (with a LGBT+ twist 🌈) following how the lives of one dying human and one elf king of death intertwine.
I love how, although the story has subtle nods to the original myths and tales, Alderson makes it his own.
The dance between life and death and the misconceptions of what evil truly is, make this book alluring from start to finish with twists, fae, knives and mistrust.
Fans of Lord of Eternal Night will not be disappointed with this new stand alone 🧝
I love how, although the story has subtle nods to the original myths and tales, Alderson makes it his own.
The dance between life and death and the misconceptions of what evil truly is, make this book alluring from start to finish with twists, fae, knives and mistrust.
Fans of Lord of Eternal Night will not be disappointed with this new stand alone 🧝
March 24, 2023
Couldn’t finish the book… half way through I had just enough….
The main thing is flat… lot of hole in the story and thing that are just here to be here with no explanation.
Romance is just a big miss and characters has 0 personality and 0 characters development.
The main thing is flat… lot of hole in the story and thing that are just here to be here with no explanation.
Romance is just a big miss and characters has 0 personality and 0 characters development.
September 15, 2022
I think this could’ve been phenomenal idea if it wasn’t written in first person with dueling perspectives.
February 10, 2025
You know why
September 16, 2022
I liked the idea of a Hades and Persephone retelling but the story was a little too mismatched for my liking. The story was really good in the beginning and had a lot going for it but around 30% I was bored and already knew what was going on story wise and was guessing what was going to happen. That is usually fine with retellings but the political aspect in this story didn’t work for me either since the world building for the elves was not fletched out at all so I couldn’t care less for who the ruler would be because we didn’t know what their impact was like. So many questions I had were left unanswered or things just didn’t make sense plot wise for the political aspects here.
Arlo was an alright character but Faenir really carried this story on his back. Their relationship together was annoying to read since Arlo was just such a little shit. I couldn’t wrap my head around how they ended up falling in love or at what point it happened. Regardless when it got there I really enjoyed them together. (when Arlo wasn’t being the worst SO ever) Faenir truly deserved better and is just the best character in this entire book.
For a book that is said to be “spicy” I didn’t find the spice in this to be realistic or good at all. This mf is just spitting a couple times and is ready to go. Ok pop off I guess. I was laughing at most of the spice. Characters don’t need to have multiple mediocre spicy scenes for it to be good. Fewer more drawn out scenes would have had more character development and just been better imo. I much preferred Lord of Eternal Night over this one but it was still an okay read.
Arlo was an alright character but Faenir really carried this story on his back. Their relationship together was annoying to read since Arlo was just such a little shit. I couldn’t wrap my head around how they ended up falling in love or at what point it happened. Regardless when it got there I really enjoyed them together. (when Arlo wasn’t being the worst SO ever) Faenir truly deserved better and is just the best character in this entire book.
For a book that is said to be “spicy” I didn’t find the spice in this to be realistic or good at all. This mf is just spitting a couple times and is ready to go. Ok pop off I guess. I was laughing at most of the spice. Characters don’t need to have multiple mediocre spicy scenes for it to be good. Fewer more drawn out scenes would have had more character development and just been better imo. I much preferred Lord of Eternal Night over this one but it was still an okay read.
November 26, 2022
I really, really wanted to love this. Big sad.
As much as I loved the first book, this one fell off for me. The overall plot has fairly good bones but the pacing, character writing, and the entire ending, really, were just not executed well. In addition to being very repetitive, everything felt really rushed and there were some (obvious) plot twists that I didn't feel were necessary.
As much as I loved the first book, this one fell off for me. The overall plot has fairly good bones but the pacing, character writing, and the entire ending, really, were just not executed well. In addition to being very repetitive, everything felt really rushed and there were some (obvious) plot twists that I didn't feel were necessary.
February 2, 2023
(A true 3.5 so I didn't round up)
I love me a good retelling of Persephone and Hades and though it started out strong, I feel like the end was rushed and a bit of a let down. Let me start off by praising the authors magnificent wordage when it came to making Arlo the *Persephone in the plot. It had a intricate but generic world... I know you can only make so many Fae and humans worlds so unique but in the end it did the job. Hands down one of most realistic M/M relationships I've read so far, with no shying away from their sexual desires 🙌🏽 as I mentioned before, the ending felt rushed and I get it, it's a standalone in a series of retellings but I wanted mooorreeeee I could have easily loved a longer ending but that's me being greedy. Overall, I liked it a lot and would recommend for a quick read!
I love me a good retelling of Persephone and Hades and though it started out strong, I feel like the end was rushed and a bit of a let down. Let me start off by praising the authors magnificent wordage when it came to making Arlo the *Persephone in the plot. It had a intricate but generic world... I know you can only make so many Fae and humans worlds so unique but in the end it did the job. Hands down one of most realistic M/M relationships I've read so far, with no shying away from their sexual desires 🙌🏽 as I mentioned before, the ending felt rushed and I get it, it's a standalone in a series of retellings but I wanted mooorreeeee I could have easily loved a longer ending but that's me being greedy. Overall, I liked it a lot and would recommend for a quick read!
December 21, 2023
I was in my "trying to be nice era" when I rated this 3 stars originally, but now I choose violence every day, and re-reading my review, I don't know why I ever chose the civil nice-girl path.
It did not kill me to rate 3 stars. It kills me now to read that because this book was criminally bad. RIGHT TO JAIL bad. It's literally deterred me from reading any of his other books. They will sit on my shelf until I bin or burn them. I loved darkmourn universe book 1 from memory, but I'd also maybe only read 10 books in my life by that point, so maybe I was not the best judge at that time? or maybe it was good? I guess I will never know.
Book needs to go right to jail. I love questionable smut, but there's a very hazy scene in my mind where I feel like they dry fuck outside a funeral or an event of some kind in a "you can't see me" spell, and it was just hell weird.
#sometimeschooseviolence
Old review: It kills me to rate 3 stars, but I have to be honest. Ben is the best and I will continue to buy all his books and support everything he creates. But this book was rushed. Which after reading other books of bens that are 5 star and I’m obsessed with, was sad!!
The love between faenir and arlo happened too quickly to the point that it didn’t make sense??
Like.. faenir realised he could touch arlo, then kills arlos ex and family for practically no reason, arlo is taken and then they are inlove like 5 seconds later with not much happening to make that believable. It took away from faenirs dark mysterious powerful persona early on.
I liked the characters but some of them didn’t develop properly so I didn’t really feel anything for any of them.
I liked the cross over with Jak and Marius, and I like the darkmourn universe in general. I like the smut even if it felt unfinished occasionally or again, rushed. Bens writing is always good so I still enjoy that, and he always has the right amount of world building because I don’t like insanely complex world building.
And once I got over how quickly the boys fell Inlove, I didn’t mind their relationship, it just wasn’t one that gives you the heart fuzzies like other books hahaha.
Still worth a read for the universe I reckon, and I’m hoping that alpha comes through and picks up where this book let down. God I feel so bad even writing this.
It did not kill me to rate 3 stars. It kills me now to read that because this book was criminally bad. RIGHT TO JAIL bad. It's literally deterred me from reading any of his other books. They will sit on my shelf until I bin or burn them. I loved darkmourn universe book 1 from memory, but I'd also maybe only read 10 books in my life by that point, so maybe I was not the best judge at that time? or maybe it was good? I guess I will never know.
Book needs to go right to jail. I love questionable smut, but there's a very hazy scene in my mind where I feel like they dry fuck outside a funeral or an event of some kind in a "you can't see me" spell, and it was just hell weird.
#sometimeschooseviolence
Old review: It kills me to rate 3 stars, but I have to be honest. Ben is the best and I will continue to buy all his books and support everything he creates. But this book was rushed. Which after reading other books of bens that are 5 star and I’m obsessed with, was sad!!
The love between faenir and arlo happened too quickly to the point that it didn’t make sense??
Like.. faenir realised he could touch arlo, then kills arlos ex and family for practically no reason, arlo is taken and then they are inlove like 5 seconds later with not much happening to make that believable. It took away from faenirs dark mysterious powerful persona early on.
I liked the characters but some of them didn’t develop properly so I didn’t really feel anything for any of them.
I liked the cross over with Jak and Marius, and I like the darkmourn universe in general. I like the smut even if it felt unfinished occasionally or again, rushed. Bens writing is always good so I still enjoy that, and he always has the right amount of world building because I don’t like insanely complex world building.
And once I got over how quickly the boys fell Inlove, I didn’t mind their relationship, it just wasn’t one that gives you the heart fuzzies like other books hahaha.
Still worth a read for the universe I reckon, and I’m hoping that alpha comes through and picks up where this book let down. God I feel so bad even writing this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2023
Pierwszy tom tej fascynującej serii był strzałem w dziesiątkę, zdobył moje serce i uznanie zarówno stylem pisania, jak i kreacją postaci. Alderson jednak nie lubi siedzieć w miejscu, w swej kontynuacji postanowił zmienić wszystko: od chemii między bohaterami, poprzez słowa, których używa, i tylko uniwersum zdołało się zachować. Doceniam ciekawość tego rozwiązania, szanuję, że nie osiadł na laurach, a stara się przemycić czytelnikom za każdym razem coś innego. Ino historia Aldo i Faenira nie trafiła do mnie tak bardzo – kierunek, który obrała, zbliża się do głównej ścieżki, którą fantastyczny romansu dla dorosłych zazwyczaj opiera. Nie nie podobało mi się, ale też nie skradziono mi serca jak poprzednio. Zdecydowanie trafi do czytelników, którzy w tym gatunku się już rozsiedli, i którzy lubią pewne typowe dla niego tropy. Wciąż jednak jestem zainteygowana jak losy ów świata się potoczą.
September 2, 2022
*thanks to ben for sending me an arc in exchange for a review*
one again, ben knocked it out of the park. his gay retellings just HIT THE SPOT so well.
m/m hades x persephone retelling? PHENOMENAL.
ben knows how to capture readers within the first chapter, and this is no different. the way his books always start out is so fast that it grabs your attention with no hesitation.
faenir is known for one thing among the elves: his touch can kill humans. arlo has two purposes:
1. to stay alive and fight his odd sickness
2. protect and keep his sister safe
the spice is *chefs kiss*. seriously, ben has outdone himself once again. (not so) patiently waiting for the third book in this standalone series.
one again, ben knocked it out of the park. his gay retellings just HIT THE SPOT so well.
m/m hades x persephone retelling? PHENOMENAL.
ben knows how to capture readers within the first chapter, and this is no different. the way his books always start out is so fast that it grabs your attention with no hesitation.
faenir is known for one thing among the elves: his touch can kill humans. arlo has two purposes:
1. to stay alive and fight his odd sickness
2. protect and keep his sister safe
the spice is *chefs kiss*. seriously, ben has outdone himself once again. (not so) patiently waiting for the third book in this standalone series.
November 19, 2022
Idk. I feel like this book was very rushed. Like it had good parts, but like all of the sudden it like "AHH I LOVE YOU" like bro you just spent like 50 pages ranting about how much you hated everything about him and what he stood for and for like good reason!!! and all of it was gone because he had like a crappy childhood??? idk. i liked their relationship at some parts. cool that he became a vampire at the end idk very mixed feelings.
May 14, 2023
La racha final hizo que mejorara bastante el libro en general, mi queja principal es que tardamos mucho en conocer el worldbuilding y que tan pronto como Arlo supo la backstory de Faenir pasó de odiarlo a amarlo inmediatamente
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
better than the last one, i still expected better tho:( ben Alderson please do not disappoint i was obssesed with the dragori series
March 21, 2023
2.5
The whole story is too forced.
It's fun but not much else.
The whole story is too forced.
It's fun but not much else.
December 21, 2024
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 2.9 ☕️
{I’m being generous with the rating (๑•́_•̀๑) srry}
Main Thoughts: (΄◉◞౪◟◉｀)
This book lacked substance. There wasn’t much to invest in. I disassociated and can’t tell you exactly what was happening in the book. There was a lot of pretty “writing” and words, but that’s almost all I can remember besides the core “plot”. I’m not sure what the book was targeting. 🙁
̸̇̎/̸̄̿̅̎̎̅͆ ͆͆͆͆̔̿͞ ͆̅̿̄͞ ̿ ̄̇̿̚ ̎ ̎͆ In depth: 🤦♀️
Arlo was flawed. But not in a good way. He honestly had me giving side eye to the imaginary people in my room. Like he seriously was controlling of Auriol. I know it was the promise to his parents but most signs point to it being for himself. Auriol brings up so many points that strongly refute his reasons and claims. In all transparency, if something bad were to happen to Auriol due to HER choices, than let it. It’s better than limiting her choices and freedom. I mean in the end they both do learn from their mistakes (Thank the saints 😭).
(The “romance”): 🩶
I liked the smut, don’t get me wrong. But almost immediately after they get more physical, suddenly, the words, “I love you”, were put out into the open. They also only “bonded” because of Myrinn telling Arlo of the hardships of Faenir’s youth.
But due to my overthinking brain, I won’t put too much analysis or thought as to why I feel like this is a heavy flaw in the book. Love can happen in many ways, it’s expressed in many ways, and blooms at no certain point in time. Love is hard to pin down; Therefore, it’s not that much of a problem in the book. I would’ve liked a little more emotionally intimate and gradual love.
🩶
I was kinda happy picking up crumbs from the book that would’ve entailed a mystery but the outcome was highly disappointing and underwhelming but it made sense.
Arlo becoming a vampire was definitely going to happen but I can’t tell you that I wasn’t surprised. I mean stupidly surprised. When he died it kind of wasn’t sad. This book—or maybe just I—didn’t connect with anyone. There wasn’t much character to Arlo. Anyways, I knew he wasn’t going to die but I couldn’t see how he would alive himself. I thought Faenir would suck the death outta him but this is a fair outcome. I just don’t know how this world works(I didn’t read the first book so idk if I missed anything).
Every sibling—except for the one who kind of deserved it the most—dying was kind of crazy. That’s when the story got a little lost to me.
I liked the little “clashing” of books in the last chapter, connecting characters from different books—even in the same series—makes me a little giddy.
🧝♂️(lol) Conclusion: ᝰ.ᐟ
This book felt like a blur. There wasn’t much to hang onto. It did elicit some emotion in me, not enough to move my stone-hard face but it was ok. It was fun to forget the world and did move at a good pace. I’m not sure if I’ll recommend it, though. 😔
{I’m being generous with the rating (๑•́_•̀๑) srry}
Main Thoughts: (΄◉◞౪◟◉｀)
This book lacked substance. There wasn’t much to invest in. I disassociated and can’t tell you exactly what was happening in the book. There was a lot of pretty “writing” and words, but that’s almost all I can remember besides the core “plot”. I’m not sure what the book was targeting. 🙁
̸̇̎/̸̄̿̅̎̎̅͆ ͆͆͆͆̔̿͞ ͆̅̿̄͞ ̿ ̄̇̿̚ ̎ ̎͆ In depth: 🤦♀️
Arlo was flawed. But not in a good way. He honestly had me giving side eye to the imaginary people in my room. Like he seriously was controlling of Auriol. I know it was the promise to his parents but most signs point to it being for himself. Auriol brings up so many points that strongly refute his reasons and claims. In all transparency, if something bad were to happen to Auriol due to HER choices, than let it. It’s better than limiting her choices and freedom. I mean in the end they both do learn from their mistakes (Thank the saints 😭).
(The “romance”): 🩶
I liked the smut, don’t get me wrong. But almost immediately after they get more physical, suddenly, the words, “I love you”, were put out into the open. They also only “bonded” because of Myrinn telling Arlo of the hardships of Faenir’s youth.
But due to my overthinking brain, I won’t put too much analysis or thought as to why I feel like this is a heavy flaw in the book. Love can happen in many ways, it’s expressed in many ways, and blooms at no certain point in time. Love is hard to pin down; Therefore, it’s not that much of a problem in the book. I would’ve liked a little more emotionally intimate and gradual love.
🩶
I was kinda happy picking up crumbs from the book that would’ve entailed a mystery but the outcome was highly disappointing and underwhelming but it made sense.
Arlo becoming a vampire was definitely going to happen but I can’t tell you that I wasn’t surprised. I mean stupidly surprised. When he died it kind of wasn’t sad. This book—or maybe just I—didn’t connect with anyone. There wasn’t much character to Arlo. Anyways, I knew he wasn’t going to die but I couldn’t see how he would alive himself. I thought Faenir would suck the death outta him but this is a fair outcome. I just don’t know how this world works(I didn’t read the first book so idk if I missed anything).
Every sibling—except for the one who kind of deserved it the most—dying was kind of crazy. That’s when the story got a little lost to me.
I liked the little “clashing” of books in the last chapter, connecting characters from different books—even in the same series—makes me a little giddy.
🧝♂️(lol) Conclusion: ᝰ.ᐟ
This book felt like a blur. There wasn’t much to hang onto. It did elicit some emotion in me, not enough to move my stone-hard face but it was ok. It was fun to forget the world and did move at a good pace. I’m not sure if I’ll recommend it, though. 😔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
Si te gustó Un Trato con el Rey de los Elfos, lo más probable es que te guste este libro.
Es un "retelling" del mito de Hades y Persefone, y debo decir que se manejo muy bien desde la semilla de granada hasta el por qué de la existencia de Caronte y el río Estigio.
Y es gay. Vi en una reseña de una estrella que decía algo como "ugh, that's too gay", y debo decir que ese es el punto. El libro es muy gay y kinky en algunas partes y eso fue lo mejor de la historia.
Note: don't use spit as lube.
Esta narrado dese dos puntos de vista, Arlo (humano) y Faenir (elfo)
La verdad que me costó engancharme al principio, habían ciertas cosas que se repetían bastante, pero un poco mas de las 100 páginas empieza a tomar ritmo. Todo pasa varios años después del final de Lord of Eternal Night, los mundos están conectados, y sí, vemos más de Jak y Marius. Pero solo un poco.
No me convenció mucho que en una parte comenzaran a morir varios personajes a la vez...? La verdad que todo pasa demasiado rápido.
No me gustó que haya tenido tan pocos capítulos desde la perspectiva de Faenir, tampoco me gustó que hayan usado en demasía el recurso de la enfermedad de Arlo, lo usaron como excusa para poder seguir la historia, la verdad creo que perdieron el potencial, hubiera estado más interesante que Arlo y Faenir investigarán y trabajaran juntos para encontrar una cura por ejemplo. Pero se la rebuscaron y el final que le dieron fue predecible.
Pero fuera de eso, fue una lectura entretenida y no podía dejar de leer. La verdad que espero con ansias el tercer libro.
Es un "retelling" del mito de Hades y Persefone, y debo decir que se manejo muy bien desde la semilla de granada hasta el por qué de la existencia de Caronte y el río Estigio.
Y es gay. Vi en una reseña de una estrella que decía algo como "ugh, that's too gay", y debo decir que ese es el punto. El libro es muy gay y kinky en algunas partes y eso fue lo mejor de la historia.
Note: don't use spit as lube.
Esta narrado dese dos puntos de vista, Arlo (humano) y Faenir (elfo)
La verdad que me costó engancharme al principio, habían ciertas cosas que se repetían bastante, pero un poco mas de las 100 páginas empieza a tomar ritmo. Todo pasa varios años después del final de Lord of Eternal Night, los mundos están conectados, y sí, vemos más de Jak y Marius. Pero solo un poco.
No me convenció mucho que en una parte comenzaran a morir varios personajes a la vez...? La verdad que todo pasa demasiado rápido.
No me gustó que haya tenido tan pocos capítulos desde la perspectiva de Faenir, tampoco me gustó que hayan usado en demasía el recurso de la enfermedad de Arlo, lo usaron como excusa para poder seguir la historia, la verdad creo que perdieron el potencial, hubiera estado más interesante que Arlo y Faenir investigarán y trabajaran juntos para encontrar una cura por ejemplo. Pero se la rebuscaron y el final que le dieron fue predecible.
Pero fuera de eso, fue una lectura entretenida y no podía dejar de leer. La verdad que espero con ansias el tercer libro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2024
RECENSIONE A CURA DI BARBARA
Mistero e magia, amore e passione!
Ombre e morte, crudeltà ed egoismo, sono le tematiche su cui poggia lo sviluppo di questo nuovo capitolo della serie “Darkmourn Universe”. Un retelling dai toni cupi, e dark fantasy, del mito di Ade e Persefone. Una storia che ci parla di segreti e famiglia, di oscurità e ferite dell’anima rifiuto e paure. Una vicenda che ci colpisce tra solitudine e violenza.
“Il re della caccia immortale” ha uno sviluppo dall’intensità oscura in cui la violenza è densa di aspettative e vendetta. Il dolore che respiriamo non è solo fisico ma anche morale, una sofferenza che ci strugge tra ingiustizia e privazioni, esilio e condanna, trascinandoci così in un viaggio che si ammanta di possibilità e perdita.
Continua sul nostro blog!
Mistero e magia, amore e passione!
Ombre e morte, crudeltà ed egoismo, sono le tematiche su cui poggia lo sviluppo di questo nuovo capitolo della serie “Darkmourn Universe”. Un retelling dai toni cupi, e dark fantasy, del mito di Ade e Persefone. Una storia che ci parla di segreti e famiglia, di oscurità e ferite dell’anima rifiuto e paure. Una vicenda che ci colpisce tra solitudine e violenza.
“Il re della caccia immortale” ha uno sviluppo dall’intensità oscura in cui la violenza è densa di aspettative e vendetta. Il dolore che respiriamo non è solo fisico ma anche morale, una sofferenza che ci strugge tra ingiustizia e privazioni, esilio e condanna, trascinandoci così in un viaggio che si ammanta di possibilità e perdita.
Continua sul nostro blog!
June 12, 2025
Lo disfruté MUCHO, adoro la mitología y más el mito de Ades y Perséfone. Este libro tiene esos toques o guiños muy buenos del mito (ojo, no es literal la interpretación del mito). El mundo mágico me agradó bastante, tiene mucho por explorar. Y eso que no leí el primer libro, jajajaja. Eso es otro punto, se entiende perfectamente de manera independiente, ya que están las "Leyendas". Los personajes, algunos los amé y otros los odié 🫡. Es verdad que me hubiera gustado ver más y conocer más de uno que otro personaje (Haldor, cof cof, la verdad tenía mucho potencial para ser un personaje recurrente). En cuanto al tema que toma importancia en un momento, "Los Magos", me hubiera gustado que se explicara más sobre el tema. Igual, tal vez este tema se desarrolle mejor en el siguiente libro, pero aun así, lo sentí como un cabo suelto. La pareja... Uff, jajaja, me encantaron. La tensión y esos momentos de "Te odio, pero hay que hacerle la vida imposible a tu familia juntos" es muy buena, jajajaja, yo la disfruté. Para mí, sí hubo un Plot Twist 😔, igual y para algunos no lo sea, jajaja, pero para mí sí. En fin, un gran libro que lo recomendaría si estás buscando una fantasía con humor random, política, romance y pelea por los terrenos de la abuela 🤠. Es sencilla, pero es MUY entretenida.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 591 reviews